President Obama to Visit Parkville Middle School Monday

President Barack Obama is scheduled to visit Parkville Middle School and Center of Technology at 10 a.m. Monday to speak about new investments in education.

The Parkville school will serve as an example of excellence in science, technology, engineering and math education, federal officials said. During his visit, President Obama will discuss education priorities for the budget he will present to Congress next week. 

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan and White House Budget Director Jack Lew are scheduled to travel with Obama on Monday.

"We chose Parkville Middle School because it is such a good example of the kind of schools that the president feels we need to continue to invest in," White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said during a 4:30 p.m. press conference Friday. 

Duncan said during the press conference that Parkville Middle's "hands-on" education in science, technology, engineering and math are the subject areas President Obama wants to highlight as part of his plans to hire 1,000 new teachers in those fields. 

Duncan said that many nations are "out-educating" us.

"Improving STEM education is one of (President Obama's) top priorities," he said.

Gov. Martin O'Malley's spokesman said the Democratic governor is excited the president has chosen Maryland as a backdrop to his education priorities. O'Malley is not scheduled to accompany Obama due to a conflict.

"For three years in row, Maryland schools have been No. 1 in the nation, and for three years in a row we've been named the highest achievers on AP test scores," said O'Malley spokesman Shaun Adamec. "Much of what we're doing in Maryland is working, so it makes sense to use us a model for new investments and reform in education."

Parkville Middle School PTA President Quinton Terry was surprised to learn of Obama's visit.

"I think it's a great opportunity for the kids to meet someone who had to work hard to get to where he is, and to hear some words of encouragement," Terry said. "I'm sure they will be very excited to receive him. Unfortunately I have to work on Monday."

He said he was sure his son, Jovan Sosa, a sixth grader at Parkville Middle School would tell him all about the event.

Cheryl Bost, president of the Teachers Association of Baltimore County, hadn't heard of the visit until informed by a reporter.

"Obviously, it's exciting for any area to have the president of the United States come to visit," said Bost, whose union represents county teachers.

Bost said she and union officials will be watching and listening with interest to see if the president talks about the funding of schools with large numbers of students who receive free and reduced cost lunches.

Bost said she and other teachers have become concerned about changes made to federal funding that effects those Title 1 schools.

"We'll have to see if he says anything about that," Bost said.

The number of students receiving federal aid for lunches has nearly doubled over 10 years. Schools Superintendent Joe A. Hairston said Friday morning that over his 11 years running the school system, the percentage of students receiving free and reduced cost lunches increased from 26 percent to 42 percent.

Hairston and Baltimore County Superintendent Kevin Kamenetz released a statement that said they will discuss Obama's visit at 3 p.m. at the school.