Towson Parents See Plans For New School

TOWSON, Md. -- Some Baltimore County parents got their first look at plans for a new elementary school that's expected to ease overcrowding in the Towson area.

Tim Tooten Reports

The school will be called Towson West Elementary School.

"Where the pitcher's mound is will be the playground for the second- through fifth-graders, and so when they come out to play, this is where they'll come out to play. It's beautiful. It's going to be a beautiful school," said parent Cathi Forbes, who has seen plans for the new school.

Dozens of other parents in the Rogers Forge area said they think the new school is a dream come true. On Thursday, they got their first peek at the architect's design for the school, which is being built right next to the Ridge Ruxton School.

The plans will be unveiled to the county school board early next week.

"We couldn't be more pleased, and I'm excited to hear the architects talk about and show more of the design. It's exactly what our community needs -- a new school," Forbes said.

Parents who were able to prove that Rogers Forge Elementary School was seriously overcrowded began their fight five years ago to get the county to sign off a new school.

"It looks phenomenal, and it's so exciting to see it coming to fruition," Forbes said.

However, there are some concerned neighbors who still have questions about the project. The three-story school will go up less than 50 yards from a row of homes in back of the proposed site.

"I think the issue we have is process, and it does feel as though the community was left out of the selection process. We feel as though there are perhaps other sites that are better suited for the construction of an elementary school," said homeowner Kurt Polins.

Their concerns didn't end there. Most residents said that when the school goes up, there will be a traffic nightmare along Charles Street, but for the most part, their concerns have fallen on deaf ears.

The new elementary school is set to open in 2010 and will cost taxpayers $18 million.

For more information about the new school, click here.