Perryville High School track replacement

My Civics Lesson: Local governments working together for their communities

When I attended the Cecil County Council meeting on March 18 to speak in support of funding the Cecil County Public Schools FY 2015 Budget and specific athletic facility projects at Perryville High School, I had no idea if my actions would accomplish much more than lessening some personal guilt for not having “done more.”

Tuesday night, just two weeks later, I got a first hand lesson on how elected officials from multiple municipalities can make positive things happen and how community members can use their own unique stories and skills to accomplish common goals.

While the process to adequately fund CCPS has just begun, I’m taking this as a sign that we might all be able to pull the same rope and make good things happen faster than we ever imagined.

Elected officials making things happen

Last weekend, Perryville Commissioner Michelle Linkey and Mayor Jim Eberhardt reached out to me to see how they could help and then things really started happening. I honestly didn’t think of contacting town officials because I thought the battle was between the CCPS and Cecil County…shows you what I know.

By Monday night, Council President Robert Hodge toured the school’s track with PHS track coach and teacher Jake Moore and Mr. Eberhardt.

And a lot of work must have happened on Tuesday because by the time I arrived at Tuesday night’s County Council meeting, Mr. Eberhardt had bill 2014-13 in hand. Introduced by Mr. Hodge on behalf of County Executive Tari Moore, the bill would allow replacement of the school’s track to begin after graduation in June. Here’s a link to the bill–“Budget Ordinance FY 2014 – Board of Education – Perryville High School Track Replacement”

Lots of support from PHS families and area residents

Without the overwhelming support from our families and other concerned residents, this wouldn’t have happened. I’m afraid to know exactly how many letters and emails were sent in support of CCPS and PHS in particular but there must have been quite a few. And about 10 members of the community showed up at the County Council meeting, several of whom spoke about their own perspective on the situation.

Next steps towards a new track

While I’m thrilled about the track bill, there is still much to do before that can become a reality. We need a group to attend the April 15 public hearing for the bill and we need those who can’t attend to contact the County Council and Executive to voice their support for the bill (and overall budget funding for CCPS).

Remember, this track replacement is one of many projects that CCPS has asked the council to fund; there are still many facilities and fields that are in dire need of replacement or maintenance.