In the Maryland House of Delegates and Senate, Bobby Zirkin has continued to push for education reform, stressing issues such as class size reduction, new school construction in Northwest Baltimore County, teacher training, teacher salary enhancements, enhanced summer school, and child welfare reform in juvenile services and social services. Education continues to be Bobby Zirkin's top priority as he finishes his first year in the Senate.

Senator Zirkin has enjoyed enormous success in enhancing educational opportunities for the students of Baltimore County, and continues to work tirelessly for the students of his District. In his first years in office, Zirkin helped push the envelope on class size reduction, created a successful pilot program in Baltimore County and Prince George's County for small class size in summer school, and helped create a program for increased educational opportunities for at-risk youth in juvenile group homes.

During the 2006 Session of the Maryland General Assembly, then Delegate Zirkin stood side-by-side with the Maryland State Teachers Association as they worked to enhance pension benefits for leaders across Maryland. He was a proud co-sponsor of the final bill, which will provide $120 million a year, resulting in a higher salary after retirement for thousands of public school educators and significant pension increases for new hires. This legislation will go a long way in helping to attract and retain teachers.

Several years ago, the Legislature, led by Senator Barbara Hoffman, passed landmark education legislation known as The Thornton Commission, or Bridge to Excellence. Under the law, a number of state programs were rolled together into block grants for each of Maryland's Counties. By the date of full Thornton funding, Baltimore County is set to receive an additional $120 million for class size reduction, teacher training, teacher incentives, and other operating expenditures. Delegate Zirkin was a proud co-sponsor of this landmark legislation, and was honored to stand by Senator Hoffman in her enormous efforts.

For years, Senator Zirkin has worked with his 11th District colleagues to secure needed land in Northwest Baltimore County for the future use as a middle school site. In 2002, Candidate Jim Smith promised that he would assist in the fight for a Middle School. As County Executive, Jim Smith kept his campaign promise, and in the election of 2004, a school construction bond referendum passed overwhelmingly, and funds were secured for the purchase of 54 acres in Owings Mills for a future school site.

Over the past years, Senator Bobby Zirkin has visited schools all across Baltimore County and has conducted over 500 assemblies at the schools. Tens of thousands of students have enjoyed Bobby Zirkin's 'State House to Schoolhouse Tour' as they participate in debating the hot topics of the day. Students get a real-life display of the Maryland General Assembly, debating issues ranging from driving safety to school issues.

Senator Zirkin plans to continue fighting for our children. Zirkin will continue to work tirelessly on child welfare reform, on increased summer school opportunities for at-risk youth, for enhanced educational services in juvenile justice, and on the Owings Mills Middle School project. Zirkin will be working closely with the Town Center on a state of the art library, community college, and technology center.

This 2007 Session, Senator Zirkin introduced a number of important bills dealing with class size reduction, summer education funding, and group home education reform. He also helped see that Randallstown High, Pikesville Middle and Deer Park Middle received greatly needed funds.

Senator Zirkin is proud to announce that the long-sought 54-acre parcel of land at Rosewood has officially been set aside for use as a new school, something that he has long argued for.