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PG Co. Students Still Without Schedules
posted 08/25/09 6:34 pm
NewsChannel 8 - PG Co. Students Still Without Schedules
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PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, Md. - Thousands of Prince Georges County high school and middle school students arrived for a second day of school dreading a repeat of yesterday's disastrous start of school and that is exactly what they got.

"I spent the day in the cafeteria and gym," said one student.

In fact, more than 10% of county students were in that same boat - stuck in limbo because schedules that should have been completed weeks ago were not ready.

But by 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, a schools spokesperson told ABC 7 News the computer glitch behind the problem was being fixed and that students were in class with temporary schedules.

"We have no kids in gyms or cafeterias...all kids are in class today," said Tanzi West, school spokeswoman.

Mary Nusser is the president of the PTSO at Bowie High School and says the problems are far from over. "I think this is the worst opening in the school system in the 16 years I've been volunteering," she said.

ABC 7 reporter Brad Bell asked parents and students outside of Eleanor Roosevelt what exactly seems to be the problem.

"I know they have the kids in the auditorium for what tow or three days," said Sharifa Freeman, a parent.

"They have students in the auditorium and gym while they figure everything out...the auditorium is almost packed," said Jonathan Sandival, a student.

Monteik Barksdale, a parent at Bowie High, called the situation ridiculous. "They're actually sitting in the cafeteria waiting for schedule," she said.

A glitch in the county's "School Max" computer system seems to be to blame. Apparently it is having problems uploading class schedules.

Sources told ABC 7 News it will be the end of the week - five full school days - before all students have their schedules.

"...Why they didn't delay the start of school i'll never know," added Nusser.

Students at Surrattsville High School are frustrated with the scheduling conflicts as well.

"A lot of students they don't have a schedule," said Skyler Austin, Surrattsville H.S. Student.

"They going to sit everyone in the cafeteria once again," said Tyree Harley, Surrattsville H.S. Student.

Incoming freshmen, Kamar Perkins, says that on his first day of high school he was one of about 8,000 students waiting in gymnasiums and cafeterias after the computer system failed. He said he hopes the problem is solved soon because he is anxious to get to work.

"I hope I have a schedule because it'll be really boring to sit in one class all day," said Kamar Perkins, Surrattsville H.S. Student "Ready to meet all my teachers and hopefully get some assignments and start the work."

Meanwhile, other students express disappointment with the professionalism of Prince George's County School system, claiming similar problems happen every year.

"Everything's wrong," said Amanda Pinkney, Surrattsville H.S. Student. "I think they should at least be more professional. Like if you're going to run a school at least have things on time."

Although Pinkney received her class schedule, she said that all of her assigned classes are wrong.

Officials say IT Personnel and the vendors for "School Max" are working on this issues. However, there is still no word on how soon all of the students will have their schedules.




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