Howard County Executive Ken Ulman tours three Ellicott City schools

"Do you know you are going to one of the best schools in the country?" Howard County Executive Ken Ulman asked a 7th grade English class at Folly Quarter Middle School in Ellicott City.

Folly Quarter Middle was the first of three Ellicott City school visits by Ulman on Sept 2. He also went to Triadelphia Ridge Elementary and Northfield Elementary. Two days earlier he visited Bellow Springs Elementary, another Ellicott City school.

The visits were part of Ulman's weeklong tour of county schools and his way of letting teachers and administrative staffers know he appreciates what they do. It was also an opportunity for him to encourage students to work hard in the upcoming year.

"Over 60 percent of our county operating budget goes to schools, so I think it is important that I am out visiting them, greeting the teachers and students, basically getting a feel for how things are going," Ulman said. "There's no substitute for actually being in the building. It sends a message that the county government as whole is proud of our schools."

At Folly Quarter Middle, Principal Richard Wilson Jr. led Ulman on an extensive tour of the 8-year-old but immaculate two-story building.

Ulman visited various 6th, 7th and 8th grade classrooms, the media center, the gymnasium and the band room, among others.

He then walked the short distance adjacent to Triadelphia Ridge Elementary, where he was greeted by Principal Chanel Morris.

One of Ulman's first stops was a kindergarten class, followed by visits to first and second grade classrooms.

"The community was really excited that Mr. Ulman would take time to come visit us, see our school, and see what the children are doing. We are very impressed," said Morris

At Northfield Elementary, Principal Rebecca Straw showed Ulman some of the extensive renovations the 41-year-old school is undergoing. Construction on new classrooms and playing fields actively took place at the time of the visit, but Straw told Ulman that it stops if it is distracting to students in class.

Renovations are scheduled to be complete June 2011.

Ulman also noted Dunloggin Middle School next door -- it's his alma mater. He also attended high school in Ellicott City, graduating from Centennial.

Ulman said he was impressed by all three schools.

"Looking towards the future, we are going to continue to be a great school system," he said. "One of the things we have turned our focus on is not building as many new schools but renovating some of the older schools, like the work being done at Northfield."

Ellicott City's Mt. Hebron High, another older school, is in the second of a three-year $50 million dollar renovation, added Ulman.

"In light of budget cuts, our schools are doing great," said Ulman. "You'd be hard pressed to walk in one of our schools and notice any effect."

He said the schools' greatest strengths are their hard-working staff and the community support they receive from parents, who send highly motivated children to be educated.

"There are a lot of people who move to Ellicott City just so their children can attend school here," Ulman said. "That tells you something about the quality of education we offer."