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Sunday, January 22, 2012

Bennett Middle decision: 'It's just heartbreaking'

SALISBURY -- Following the Wicomico County Council's decision not to write a letter expressing financial support for a new Bennett Middle School, the state funds that would have been used to benefit education within the county are being redirected to projects outside the region.
The Interagency Committee on School Construction has recommended $3.85 million of the $4.5 million slated for the Bennett project during the upcoming fiscal year be used for school construction and upgrades in Baltimore City and seven counties, none of which are on the Eastern Shore.
"This is not only going to jam up Bennett Middle School students for years, it's going to jam up Parkside and the kids at West Salisbury where they don't have air conditioning either," said John Fredericksen, superintendent, adding the council's 4-3 vote basically killed the project. "It's just heartbreaking for our kids."
David Lever, executive director of the public school construction program, has recommended the remaining $650,000 be used for the two Pittsville Elementary and Middle School systemic renovation projects.
Lever doesn't believe the projects should be funded to 100 percent, because he wants the Board of Public Works to have an opportunity to discuss Bennett Middle School with Wicomico County officials at the Jan. 25 meeting.
"We believe that it's necessary for the BPW to hear the superintendent and the board's perspective on the issue, and for others -- and especially the council in Wicomico -- to hear the BPW's comments in turn," Lever wrote.
The Bennett Middle project was at the top of county and state lists for replacement because of a lack of compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, a need for asbestos abatement, a lack of air conditioning and new technology, narrow hallways, mounting maintenance costs and safety concerns because students travel from the main building to portable classrooms throughout the day, leaving the building unsecured.
Of the projects to financially benefit from Bennett Middle's loss are Annapolis High School's HVAC system, Stoneleigh Elementary renovation in Baltimore County, Lincoln Elementary in Frederick County, Red Pump Elementary in Harford County, Atholton High in Howard County, three school construction projects in Montgomery County, two projects in Prince George's County and Woodhome PK-8 in Baltimore City.

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