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SEPTEMBER 5, 2014
SPORTS
SDHS FALL PREVIEW Teams have been training for a few weeks now to prepare for their 2014 seasons–Page 39
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City’s focus now on rental reform
By Zack Hoopes Staff Writer (Sept. 5, 2014) Although any major revisions to the city’s zoning code in regard to problematic weekly house rentals now seem unlikely, some shakeups may be coming with regard to enforcement and the way the Ocean City Police Department handles noise complaints. Following a public hearing on the issue two weeks ago, the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission decided this week to schedule a joint meeting with City Council to discuss potential reform efforts that are, as of yet, somewhat amorphous. What was most discussed, however, was the apparent lack of response from the OCPD – which, it was noted, has not had a representative at any of the meetings on the matter thus far. “You would hope that the police would have a little more presence,” said Commission Chair Pam Buckley. “I’d really like to know what officers are told on how to respond to noise complaints,” said Commissioner Lauren Taylor, relaying the criticism heard numerous time at the hearing that police will simply drive by, often with their windows up, just to log a response without actually investigating. “That’s not an appropriate response, as far as I’m concerned,” Taylor said. “Although the police certainly have their hands full, it seems a lot of them have a very nonchalant attitude toward noise,” said Commissioner Chris Shanahan. “I think that needs to be addressed.” Part of the laissez-faire attitude of the police may stem from the fact that enforcement against the landlord or agent rather than the temporary tenants - is difficult to achieve, and thus goes nowhere toward preventing owners from housing further problem tenants in the future. “The agents or owners have to be accountable,” said Commissioner Peck Miller. “They have to be made aware.” The latest round of concern about noisy and overcrowded rental homes – something which the resort has deal with for decades – began in earnest this past spring with complaints from residents of Mallard Island, a traditionally owner-occupied neighborhood. See CITY Page 7
JOSH DAVIS/OCEAN CITY TODAY
More than 500 Showell Elementary School students stand in line for the bus after their first day back to school on Tuesday, Sept. 2.
Back to books, classes in session More than 6,500 students make return to county’s 14 public schools for first day
By Clara Vaughn Staff Writer (Sept. 5, 2014) More than 6,500 students flooded the halls of Worcester County’s 14 public schools Tuesday, Sept. 2, the first day back in session for the 2014-2015 school year. It marked the first time in recent years the county’s schools returned after Labor Day, following a vote to change the school calendar by the county Board of Education in February. An estimated 6,684 students will walk Worcester’s halls this year, comparable to the 6,651 students enrolled in the 2013-2014 school year.
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Schools hired 46 teachers to fill vacancies left by retirements or attrition, creating a 15 percent turnover in the teaching staff of 687. Two schools have new principals: Buckingham Elementary School, where Karen Marx will lead, and Snow Hill High School, where Kimberly Purvis took over as interim principal. The 180-day school year is slated to end Tuesday, June 16, with three days of cancelation allowed for snow and other inclement weather days. School will end early if the county school system does not use the three, said Coordinator of Public Relations and Special Programs for the schools Barbara Witherow. While students spend 180 days in class, the state requires teachers to work 188 days. Professional days are days off for students, but are full-days
for teachers when they do required activities such as reporting grades. The county’s public schools scheduled four of those days last week, before school started, one on General Election Day, and one on the tail of each of three marking periods. The schools have some major changes happening this year, from revamped rules on school discipline to the rollout of the new Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) tests. Following in the state Board of Education’s footsteps, the county has adopted a new student discipline policy aimed at replacing longstanding severe and zero-tolerance policies to keep students in school. The new guidelines allow school administrators to consider each infraction separately rather than taking See SCHOOLS Page 3
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