Parent counseling might help lower truancy rates

The recent article on absenteeism in Maryland schools puts the whole Kirwan Commission in a new light (“Maryland Blueprint doesn’t directly address the ‘most significant problem’ in schools,” Nov. 23). A group of supposed “experts” recommended a budget-busting “overhaul” that does not even address such a huge problem. That is mindboggling.

I would suggest that we explore the root causes of absenteeism which certainly must include the parents. There is no way this can all be blamed on the schools. However, it may well be true that the neglectful parents are often themselves victims of poverty and dire social circumstances. So, in the spirit of Mayor Brandon Scott, can we devise a program of peer parents intervention?

The parents neglecting their kids’ education need help and they will never get it from occasional phone calls from faceless school administrative staff, much less Truancy Courts. But if a cadre of concerned neighborhood volunteers can be cobbled together with parents who have truant kids of their own, perhaps efforts to reach out to families who have given up minding their kids may actually have a chance of working.

One-on-one peer support and education, maybe even networking could help. This would be paid for with the money now being spent on the current failed truancy bureaucracy and definitely not from yet adding more new cost to the already bloated Kirwan recommendations.

— John Boronow, M.D., Lutherville

There are some rational Trump Cabinet picks

While too many of President-elect Donald J. Trump’s nominees for his cabinet are patently unsuited for their assignments, several of his choices give promise of resembling what President Abraham Lincoln called in his first inaugural address “the better angels of our nature” (“What diversity does — and doesn’t — look like in Trump’s Cabinet,” Nov. 26).

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida and North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum are two experienced, qualified elected officials to lead the Departments of State and Interior, respectively. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, an Oregon Republican, has a record of wanting to protect workers’ rights which she would likely continue as secretary of labor. The background of Scott Bessent, Trump’s treasury secretary-designee, suggests that he may temper Trump’s ardor for inflation-inciting tariffs. All these nominees give promise of rational, constructive policymaking.

The silver lining in Trump’s rapid-fire Cabinet selection process is that not all his choices are unqualified arsonists who want to blow up government. Some are rational, seasoned officials who will add value to his administration.

— John R. Leopold, Stoney Beach

Time to put the Adnan Syed prosecution behind us

I am writing in reference to the article, “Adnan Syed case: Prosecutors mulling what to do with ‘Serial’ subject’s convictions” (Nov. 23).

I agree with the view of Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates that this has been going on long enough. The murder committed 25 years ago was tragic and both Hae Min Lee and Adnan Syed were so very young, both under 18. From what I’ve read, Syed’s convictions are very much in doubt, as alternative suspects have been disclosed who were never revealed before. The man has spent his youth — 23 years — in prison and his case was dismissed in a court of law in 2022.

I can empathize with Young Lee, Hae Min Lee’s brother, as I am sure his life, too, has been totally affected by this tragedy, but it seems to me that, guilty or not, Syed has paid an awesome price and is now trying to regain and rebuild his life. Both families have suffered immensely.

What I don’t understand is why such controversy continues to exist. Lee was notified on a Friday that Syed’s hearing would be on the following Monday. He was invited to attend or to participate via Zoom because he lives in California. This is the 21st century, folks!

If I was so concerned and determined to be present at the hearing involving my sister’s death, you can bet I would hop on a plane and fly to Baltimore on Sunday or Monday so I could attend. I don’t understand Lee’s hesitation or inaction. His subsequent insistence that his lawyer pursue this point appears questionable. Why must this case be dragged on again and again and even have the remote possibility of having Syed tried again?

The present situation seems a terrible miscarriage of justice for everyone involved and a waste of our tax dollars.

— A. Perry, Baltimore