The Baltimore Sun from Baltimore, Maryland • Page B7

The Sun in Carroll Thursday, Nov. 14, 2002: Page 7b BALTIMORE CITYCOUNTY "There is no boundary recommendation that can fix the problem, except in the short term. CityCounty Digest New school suggested for county Study finds redisricting would be fix in short term in fast-growing northwest By Jonathan D. Rockoff SUN STAFF gave a sneak preview of its findings to the school board Tuesday and members appeared receptive to a new school. "I'm convinced," said John A.

Hayden III, a board member. But the school board can't authorize funding for new school construction; that is up to the county and state governments. County Executive-elect James T. Smith said he would examine DeJong's study. "We have fiscal realities," he said.

"But if, in fact, there is validity to the consultant's recommendations, I would certainly support getting this started now, even if we can't support construction and the bulk of expenses until down the road." Smith said he would consider floating bonds to pay for new school construction. The school system owns two properties in the northwest area. Staskiewicz said a 20-acre site on Wilson Lane, just north of the Woodholme Country Club in Pikesville, was preferable. School officials dismissed the other site, 20 acres near Randallstown High School, as being too heavily wooded. The consultant's recommendations, which the school board newly elected officials," she said.

Michael Franklin, a Randalls-town parent who is president of the PTA Council of Baltimore County, said the need for at least one new school was so great that the county should pay if the state will not. "The county knew growth was coming. This wasn't a surprise to them. We never tell a developer no in Baltimore County," he said. More than 7,000 homes are planned for the county's northwest, DeJong found.

Besides enrolling new pupils from those homes, the school system, under state law, must find space for all-day kindergarten classes by the 2007-2008 school year. New Town was the last public elementary school built in the county, at a cost of $12.8 million. State Del. Robert A. Zirkin, a Democrat from Owings Mills who has been pushing for a new middle school there, said he would lobby in Annapolis for state funding for two new elementary schools.

"Maybe this will give the needed impetus for the next county administration to do the right thing, which is build some new schools," he said. will study, should come as no surprise to residents of fast-growing communities in the county's northwest. "When you live in a community, and you see the growth every day, the problem is very obvious," said Jacqueline Parham of New Town, who called it "essential, critical" that a new school be built as soon as possible. Parham's twin daughters attend New Town Elementary School, which opened last year more than 200 pupils above its capacity of 706. In September, Superintendent Joe A.

Hairston took the unusual step of halting new enrollment at the school, which exceeds its capacity by more than 275 pupils. It was the crowding at New Town Elementary that prompted the school system to hire DeJong, which found that, at best, redistricting would redistribute 500 pupils among eight elementary schools for short-term relief. Kelli P. Nelson, chairwoman of a coalition of concerned parents from the area, urged the school board to launch a campaign for the money. "This is very political, and we need to be educating our A consultant studying population trends in Owings Mills, Randallstown and other areas of northwest Baltimore County will recommend the construction of at least one elementary school to avoid severe classroom crowding.

In a study to be released at a school board meeting Monday, DeJong Associates predicts that the region's elementary schools will be almost 1,200 pupils over capacity by 2010 and redistricting won't solve the problem. "We came to do a boundary recommendation and realized there is no boundary recommendation that can fix the problem, except in the short, short term," said Carolyn Staskiewicz, the consultant's project manager. She suggested the construction of two elementary schools, if possible. The Dublin, Ohio, consultant p.m. Sunday at the school.

Former pupils, faculty and staff are invited to the festivities, which will include a slide show, refreshments and school tours. Villa Cresta is at 2600 Rader Ave. In Baltimore City Author, activist Bell to speak at Pratt Library Writer, legal scholar and civil rights activist Derrick Bell will present a talk this evening at Enoch Pratt Free Library downtown and sign copies of his newest book, Ethical Ambition: Living a Life of Meaning and Worth. Bell, who teaches at New York University School of Law, is the author of seven books including the best-seller Faces at the Bottom of the Well. In announcing his talk, the library said that in his latest book, Bell "urges readers to live a life of passion, to have the courage to take risks for what they believe in, and to rely on their loved ones and faith for support during hard times." The free talk is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

in Wheeler Auditorium of the library at 400 Cathedral St. High school preview set for pupils Saturday Pupils in seventh and eighth grade will have an opportunity to preview the educational options offered at the Baltimore school system's 30 high schools during an all-day high school fair Saturday. The fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Polytechnic Institute-Western High School complex at 1400 W.

Cold Spring Lane. Teachers, principals and students from neighborhood and citywide high schools will be available to speak to prospective students. Beginning this month, guidance counselors will speak to middle school pupils about entrance requirements for the selective citywide schools. From staff reports In Baltimore County Essex man is accused of filling wetlands without a permit ESSEX An Essex man has been charged with illegally dredging and filling state wetlands on his property without a permit, Attorney General J. Joseph Curran Jr.

said yesterday. Scott H. O'Day, 47, of the 1300 block of Wildwood Beach Road is accused of damaging wetlands along a road between Dec. 1 and Feb. 1 this year, Curran said.

The charges were brought by the attorney general's Environmental Crimes Unit. The maximum penalty for illegal dredging and filling is a $1,000 fine. 2 emergency shelters for homeless to open TOWSON Baltimore County will sponsor two shelters from tomorrow through April 15 to provide emergency overnight accommodations for the homeless. The shelters will be at Eastern Family Resource Center, 9100 Franklin Square Drive in Rossville, and at 7600 Clays Lane in Woodlawn. They will provide dinner and breakfast and will remain open during the day if weather conditions are bad enough to curtail regular activities at the two locations.

The shelters will be operated by Revisions through a contract with the county. Regular operating hours will be 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Anyone in need of shelter should call the county Department of Social Services at 410-853-3000. Agencies, groups or individuals wishing to donate food should contact the Baltimore County Coalition for the Homeless at 410-847-9007.

Villa Cresta Elementary to mark 50 years Sunday PARKVILLE Villa Cresta Elementary will celebrate its 50th anniversary from 1 p.m. to 2 Several schools in city renamed Jm 2 of 3 in Northern High's split are changed to honor DuBois and Banks Police DOUG KAPUSTIN SUN STAFF Raking it in In her yard in Homeland, Susan Waters rakes leaves that dropped rapidly with the recent rain. Son Ben, 4, is ready to assist. No more rain is forecast until the weekend. Plans for Highlandtown library shown to neighborhood residents Two buildings, gardens at old Grand Theater site favored out of 4 designs "This really is not similar to any other library.

The modern library takes a much more active role in the community. By Kimberly A.C. Wilson SUN STAFF 884 BJZ was stolen Tuesday in the 4100 block of Hyden Court. Theft from vehicle: A 2002 Honda was parked in the 1300 block of Boyle St. on Tuesday when someone entered the vehicle and stole an electronic organizer, camera, several compact discs, cash, sunglasses, clothing and a calculator all valued at nearly $1,800.

Theft: Two hundred fifty compact discs, valued at nearly $3,800, were stolen Tuesday from a 2001 Chevrolet parked in the 900 block of W. Lombard St. Southwestern District Robbery: A deliveryman for Pizza Bolis in the 3100 block of W. North Ave. was robbed of more than $50 Tuesday evening in the 2200 block of Braddish Ave.

by a man who implied he had a weapon. Theft: A silver handgun was stolen Tuesday from a house in the 900 block of Mount Holly St. Burglary: Three air condensers, three refrigerators and a hand cart all valued at $2,600 were stolen Tuesday from a storage room of an apartment building in the 500 block of Coventry Road. Baltimore County Garrison Precinct Armed robbery: A man, 60, was stepping from his car in the 6600 block of Deancroft Road about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday when another man placed a handgun in his face and demanded money and property.

After taking a cellular phone and a wallet containing more than $60, the gunman was joined by a second man and both fled on foot. Towson Precinct Robbery: A 22 -year-old woman was walking toward her home in the 1800 block of Deveron Road about 5:40 p.m. Tuesday when a gunman stole her purse containing $50, a cellular phone, keys and credit cards. Parkville Precinct Burglary: Power tools and lawn care equipment all valued at $245 were stolen Tuesday from a storage area under the front porch of a house in the 3100 block of Dubois Ave. Richard Irwin Police Blotter is a sampling of crimes from police reports in Baltimore City and Baltimore County.

Baltimore City Southeastern District Robbery: A man, 34, was in the 3200 block of E. Fayette St. about 3 p.m. Tuesday when another man pulled the coat the victim was wearing over his face and robbed him of $200. Robbery: An apparently unarmed man entered Mike's Happy Hour Lounge in the 700 block of S.

Potomac St. about 4 p.m. Tuesday and ordered an employee to give him money from the bar. The robber fled with about $200. Theft from vehicle: Two guitars and sound equipment all valued at nearly $1,900 were stolen Tuesday from a 1992 Geo Storm parked in the 1700 block ofGoughSt.

Burglary: A DVD player, 10 compact discs and a backpack all valued at more than $200 were stolen Tuesday from a house in the 800 block of S. Bond St. Burglary: Someone apparently used a key to enter a house in the 1800 block of Thames St. on Monday and stole a DVD player valued at $375. Eastern District Burglary: Someone entered A Liquors in the 2300 block of Barclay St.

on Tuesday and removed more than 4 gallons of whiskey. Stolen vehicle: A teal-over-gray 1994 GMC truck with tags 609297M was stolen Tuesday in the 2300 block of Aisquith St. Southern District Theft: Stereo equipment, coins, 25 compact discs and a set of golf clubs all valued at nearly $700 were stolen Tuesday from a 1995 Honda parked in the 100 block of E. West St. Assaultarrest: A man, 35, was standing in the 1600 block of Elmtree St.

about 8 p.m. Tuesday when another man struck him several times with a length of wood. When police arrived, the assailant resisted arrest. Charged with aggravated assault was Brian Theile, 24, a resident of the block where the assault occurred. Stolen vehicle: A green, four-door 1992 Chevrolet with tags BY A SUN STAFF WRITER The Baltimore school board adopted names for several new and existing schools this week.

The most significant name changes affect the former Northern High, a school with a history of difficulties. To curb student violence and create an atmosphere more conducive to learning, school officials split Northern into three smaller schools this year: No. 418, No. 419 and No. 420.

The school designated No. 418 is now W.E.B. DuBois Senior High School. No. 420 will be called Dr.

Samuel L. Banks High School. A new name for No. 419 is still being considered. Administrators there had suggested Pioneer High School, but board members said they wanted the name of the school to more closely match the historical tone and importance of the adjoining school DuBois.

Other new school names and changes: No. 4 Steuart Hill Elementary is now Steuart Hill Academic Academy. No. 15 Stadium Middle is The Stadium School. No.

31 Coldstream Park Elementary is Coldstream Park ElementaryMiddle School. No. 45 Federal Hill Elementary is Federal Hill Preparatory School. No. 105 Moravia Park Primary is Moravia Park PreK-8 Campus.

No. 159 Cherry Hill Ele-mentary is Cherry Hill ElementaryMiddle School. No. 160 Dr. Carter G.

Woodson Elementary is Dr. Carter G. Woodson PreK-8. No. 163 Patapsco Elementary is Patapsco Elementary Middle School.

No. 164 Arundel Elementary is Arundel Elementary Middle School. No. 221 Mount Washington Elementary is now The Mount Washington School. No.

370 Baltimore City Detention Center school is Eager Street Academy. No. 416 Southern High School is Digital Harbor High School. No. 421 National Academy Foundation is The National Academy Foundation High School.

nected by a glass atrium to a smaller two-story building, enclosed within an urban piazza at the north end of the lot and a reading garden at the eastern corner. "This really is not similar to any other library," he said. "The modern library takes a much more active role in the community. You have books on tape, CD-ROMs, and children play a much greater role." Originally, planners had hoped to build a library in Highlandtown. The $8.5 million bond issue approved in 1999 buys less in construction and materials today, forcing library officials to aim for a smaller footprint.

Members of the community panel toured libraries in the city and surrounding counties to determine what they wanted and didn't want. "We all said pretty much the same thing: not the Towson library," Watts said. "We didn't want that sort of Fort Apache urban architecture. We wanted to have a little give-and-take between the street and what's happening inside because it's really a neighborhood library." The tiny Highlandtown branch, tucked into a storefront a block west of the new site, is slated to close once the Southeast Anchor Library opens. "That one would close because it's literally up the street on Eastern Avenue," said Mona Rock, spokeswoman for the Enoch Pratt Free Library.

"But we want to make it completely clear: This library is not intended to replace other neighborhood branches, which are smaller," Rock added. Highlandtown residents got their first peek last night at models for a $8.5 million public library planned on a site that once housed a slaughterhouse, vaudeville theater and, most recently, a movie house. Planners unveiled four versions of three-dimensional plans for building the Southeast Anchor Library at Eastern Avenue and South Conkling Street to a crowd of 100 residents, students and library officials at the nearby Patterson Park branch. Scheme 2, a two-building plan enclosed within gardens, won the biggest raves. "Usually, I just drive by libraries," said Sharnia Paul, 17, a senior at Harbor City High School.

"But I really like what I see. I can't wait until it opens." Slated to open in 2005, it would be the first newly built library in the city in 30 years, said Carla Hayden, executive director of the Enoch Pratt Free Library system. Each of the designs for the branch features a community meeting space, computer laboratory, separate children's and teen areas, copy shop, cafe and gardens. Architects from Probst, Mason Hillier Group and Alexander Design Studios answered questions about the brown-and-white cardboard models and gave future patrons a glimpse at WeichiChen, architect what may come once ground is broken in 2004. The favored design, by Hillier architect Weichi Chen, calls for tearing down the 90-year-old Grand Theater, which closed in 1981.

The Grand, though not designated a historic landmark, is a nostalgic favorite with an art deco facade. Before that, the brick movie house was home to a vaudeville theater whose stage, according to local lore, was built over the remains of a turn-of-the-century abattoir. Going into last night's meeting, a community advisory panel gave its lowest marks to the design that would preserve the lemon-lime-colored stucco facade. "It would cost $750,000 to shore up the facade, and that amount translates into a loss of 4,500 square feet of library space," said Jacqueline Watts, who chairs the advisory panel, was just elected president of Friends of Enoch Pratt Free Library and edits a community newspaper, The Baltimore Guide. "We don't want to lose even an inch." Chen's design combines a 2-story brick building con.