June 11, 2002 - Baltimore City Public Schools

Board Meeting Minutes
MR. HAMILTON: I'm just passing on to you what I hear and what the observations are. And what's
why I put in that part about the understanding what we all have busy lives. But sometimes even if the
representation is just a designee is much appreciated.
MR. TILDON: You're very right, Mr. Hamilton. I'm telling you this because it's a two-way street. I
think that, as a Board Member, I get as much out of going to those ceremonies as they do having me
there. So I think it is.
MR. HAMILTON: And especially in -- with the zoned schools that have, you know, been under much
pressure and a lot of negative publicity. And, unfortunately, I'm in a better position than you are, having
worked with a number of those students over the course of this year, so I understood what they were up
against when they had to really try to make up six and seven credits in order to be eligible for
graduation. So they overcame some tremendous obstacles, and they met the challenge. And I celebrated
with them as they did their little dances across the stage. But I just think that when you hear behind you,
"Well, where's the -- how come the Board Members are not here? And how come there's not a
representative from the Area Office? And that type of stuff. So that's why I said I would like to share
that information with you. Thank you.
MS. WELCH: Thank you. Mr. Jones?
MR. JONES: Yeah. Just a couple comments. In the past years, we have given ourselves assignments.
MS. WELCH: We had it this year.
MS. RUSSO: Yeah. And the problem is this, and I made a note for the future: In coordinating the
graduations, some of them -- we have duplicates at the same time of day, and that's part of the problem.
MR. STRINGFIELD: Right. And they're 30 high school graduations and things going on.
MS. WELCH: But I think it's been explained well. And we do appreciate those who were able to attend.
And for those who were at Lake Clifton -- I'm sorry -- Merganthaler last night -- I'm not too good with
names, Ron Spacy -- after the valedictorian made her comments, and I think all of us can attest to that,
who commented. As the gentleman said at the Board table earlier, we're in good hands with some of our
kids. We have some good potential leaders out there.
MR. TILDON: I have one other. I had the great benefit of attending Pittman's graduation. I tell you,
that was really, really rewarding for me. There were very few dry eyes. And, of course, my alma mater,
Frederick Douglas.
MS. NOEL: I also wanted to extend my congratulations. I had the pleasure of attending Forest Park,
and I was really, really proud and really touched that Forest Park had two valedictorians. And one young
gentleman was receiving special education services from the 2nd grade until the 9th, when he
transitioned into regular education. He was one of the valedictorians. And I will tell you he spoke
exceptionally well. And I'm sure every student at every high school has much insight now. They are so
much more mature. They, like Mike had said, have overcome so many challenges. So, as you said, there
were very few dry eyes in the auditorium. And I think we all really appreciate all of the efforts that the
students have made. And we're all very proud of them.
MS. WELCH: Any other kudos?
file://S:\CMS_Content\meetings\2002\J11_02.html
Page 8 of 41
9/23/2002