SALISBURY, Md.- In a reversal to a decision made last week, the Wicomico County Council on Tuesday voted to move forward on plans for a new Bennett Middle School. The decision to proceed with plans for a new school came after new financial information was brought forward to council members from the county finance director.
Tuesday's special meeting began with Councilwoman Stevie Prettyman saying, "This venom which has swept across the county is unbelievable," in response to what she referred to as numerous personal attacks from the community based on last week's vote.
During Tuesday's meeting, Prettyman changed her vote, swinging the majority in favor of support for a new Bennett Middle School.
The vote authorizes a letter of support requesting the state provide funding for FY2013.
It took almost three hours; a decision that came following multiple questions from council members and an exhaustive line-up of comments from the audience.
But ultimately, the only thing that matters to mother of two Kim Hudson of Parents in Action is that the council said "yes."
"It is a wonderful, positive step for Wicomico County, for our students and for our whole community," Hudson said.
That step came with a fair amount of controversy. Among the biggest concerns; how to fund the project's $70 million price tag.
"We also need to be fiscally conservative," notes retired educator Ann Suthowski, who argues necessary improvements can be made to the school without all the costly "bells and whistles".
It took almost three hours; a decision that came following multiple questions from council members and an exhaustive line-up of comments from the audience.
But ultimately, the only thing that matters to mother of two Kim Hudson of Parents in Action is that the council said "yes."
"It is a wonderful, positive step for Wicomico County, for our students and for our whole community," Hudson said.
That step came with a fair amount of controversy. Among the biggest concerns; how to fund the project's $70 million price tag.
"We also need to be fiscally conservative," notes retired educator Ann Suthowski, who argues necessary improvements can be made to the school without all the costly "bells and whistles".
Councilwoman Gail Bartkovich was one of the three "no" votes. She said "the blanks are not filled in" when it comes to the county's finances.
"I would hate to say yes now and find when we get our operating budget, we really can't afford this and then we have to say no," she said.
Meanwhile, the school board is celebrating Tuesday's victory and wants to ease those concerns.
"We are going to run our ship as tightly as we possibly can and we're going to try to do our very best to protect the classroom and direct student services wherever possible," said Superintendent of Wicomico County Public Schools John Fredericksen.
Prior to the decision, Councilman Bob Culver, who voted against Tuesday's resolution, questioned whether or not the plans could be scaled back or changed after the letter of intent was signed.
Council members were advised that if the project was not brought forward this year, it would have been deferred two years, tacking on an additional $1.5 million to the $3 million already accumulated from previous deferrals. On top of that, they were warned that failure to move forward could result in the loss of state planning approval and having to start over.
Council Vice President Matt Holloway, who voted "yes," expressed a willingness to approve cuts to make the project more affordable. Additionally, he said that while he was not necessarily happy with the plan, he could not justify "kicking this can further down the road."
Virtually all those who voiced opposition to the plan expressed their simultaneous support for education. Yet one opponent likened the project to the Taj Mahal, saying, "Children need a quality education, not an expensive monument." Others wondered why Bennett Middle School had been allowed to deteriorate to this point, questioning why the school could not be renovated rather than demolished and rebuilt, providing examples of similar schools that chose to improve upon what they had.
Supporters pointed to the economic draw of a strong school system, arguing both businesses and families are more likely to move to the area if the schools are good. Hudson responded to the project's critics, saying the plan is not about aesthetics but rather health and safety concerns.
Wicomico County Board of Education President Ron Willey also defended the plan, pointing out the money saving effects that will come from the energy-efficient building.
The county's letter of support will go before the Board of Public Works Wednesday morning. Initial plans sought $4.5 million in state funding for the new school. The BOE wants to increase that request to $10 million.
An initial feasibility study projected total costs for the Bennett Middle School project at about $50 million in 2005. For FY2013, that total cost is now projected to be $69,762,756. To date, the county has funded almost $8.5 million of its estimated $40,769,000 cost share for the project, putting the state cost share at just under $29 million.
Tuesday's meeting clarified that the acquisition of equipment, technology, etc. will be on a separate contract from the construction contract.
Prettyman asked about concern over soils on the proposed grounds for the project, which was met with reassurance that nothing needs to be done as far as soils are concerned related to construction of the building.
Also mentioned in Tuesday's meeting; future projects, including Parkside High School, with a projected cost of $38 million dollars, as well as Mardela Middle and High School.
"I would hate to say yes now and find when we get our operating budget, we really can't afford this and then we have to say no," she said.
Meanwhile, the school board is celebrating Tuesday's victory and wants to ease those concerns.
"We are going to run our ship as tightly as we possibly can and we're going to try to do our very best to protect the classroom and direct student services wherever possible," said Superintendent of Wicomico County Public Schools John Fredericksen.
Prior to the decision, Councilman Bob Culver, who voted against Tuesday's resolution, questioned whether or not the plans could be scaled back or changed after the letter of intent was signed.
Council members were advised that if the project was not brought forward this year, it would have been deferred two years, tacking on an additional $1.5 million to the $3 million already accumulated from previous deferrals. On top of that, they were warned that failure to move forward could result in the loss of state planning approval and having to start over.
Council Vice President Matt Holloway, who voted "yes," expressed a willingness to approve cuts to make the project more affordable. Additionally, he said that while he was not necessarily happy with the plan, he could not justify "kicking this can further down the road."
Virtually all those who voiced opposition to the plan expressed their simultaneous support for education. Yet one opponent likened the project to the Taj Mahal, saying, "Children need a quality education, not an expensive monument." Others wondered why Bennett Middle School had been allowed to deteriorate to this point, questioning why the school could not be renovated rather than demolished and rebuilt, providing examples of similar schools that chose to improve upon what they had.
Supporters pointed to the economic draw of a strong school system, arguing both businesses and families are more likely to move to the area if the schools are good. Hudson responded to the project's critics, saying the plan is not about aesthetics but rather health and safety concerns.
Wicomico County Board of Education President Ron Willey also defended the plan, pointing out the money saving effects that will come from the energy-efficient building.
The county's letter of support will go before the Board of Public Works Wednesday morning. Initial plans sought $4.5 million in state funding for the new school. The BOE wants to increase that request to $10 million.
An initial feasibility study projected total costs for the Bennett Middle School project at about $50 million in 2005. For FY2013, that total cost is now projected to be $69,762,756. To date, the county has funded almost $8.5 million of its estimated $40,769,000 cost share for the project, putting the state cost share at just under $29 million.
Tuesday's meeting clarified that the acquisition of equipment, technology, etc. will be on a separate contract from the construction contract.
Prettyman asked about concern over soils on the proposed grounds for the project, which was met with reassurance that nothing needs to be done as far as soils are concerned related to construction of the building.
Also mentioned in Tuesday's meeting; future projects, including Parkside High School, with a projected cost of $38 million dollars, as well as Mardela Middle and High School.
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