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Jan. 12, 2012
In response to a proposal by the Garrett County Board of Education to close Friendsville Elementary School, an emergency meeting was held by the mayor, town council, and a group of Friendsville's concerned citizens. The meeting took place in December, prior to the school system's Christmas break, with the expressed purpose of informing local parents of the board's plans to balance its budget.
"I feel that this would have such a negative impact on the students and community of Friendsville as a whole," stated Spencer Schlosnagle, mayor of Friendsville.
"Our children are our future – and the future of Friendsville – and we cannot let this school closing happen."
According to the board, the closing of Friendsville Elementary is being based on the decline in student enrollment over the past few years. The Friendsville Advisory Committee has been formed to research the feasibility of the school closings and their impact on the students and the community as a whole.
Friendsville Elementary is one of three schools in line to suffer the consequences of funding cutbacks felt throughout Garrett County – setbacks shared by communities across the state of Maryland.
Faculty members were notified on Dec. 13 of the proposed closing of Friendsville, Dennett Road, and Kitzmiller schools. If the proposal to close these schools becomes a reality, they would be scheduled to close at the end of the current school year. This action is part of a five-year savings plan that couples the school closings with program and staff cuts, such as the elimination of the driver's education program, and also with the realignment of grade levels (fifth graders would be moved from elementary schools to middle schools).
The total anticipated savings from closing these schools is thought to be over $2 million. The action would eliminate the costs associated with utilities and the upkeep of the facilities, but also remove teaching, custodial, and secretary positions.
More here.
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