The Garrett County Board of Education informed those attending its Tuesday meeting that in light of new legislation being brought forward in Annapolis, it was delaying its decision on the potential closure of three county schools – Broad Ford, Kitzmiller, and Friendsville elementaries.
Originally, Sue Waggoner, interim superintendent of schools, was scheduled to make a recommendation to the board on the closure issue on Feb. 14. That recommendation will now occur at a meeting in April.
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"We've delayed our decisions to allow our advisory committees and our elected state officials more time to do their work," stated Waggoner before an audience in the cafeteria of Southern Middle School.
The bills currently being proposed by Wendell Beitzel, Maryland state delegate, and George Edwards, state senator, – House Bill 660 and Senate Bill 586 – would cap cuts in state aid to Maryland school systems at 5 percent from the previous year's budget.
These measures come after Maryland's new state-aid formula has assessed Garrett County as the state's fifth wealthiest, in spite of the large percentage of local children who qualify for free and reduced lunch. The assessment has presented the BOE with a loss in funds of around $3 million.
If passed, the new law would reduce the school system's current losses by an estimated $1.1 million. Similar losses would be capped the following year; however, it is believed that by 2015, as the school system takes measures to reduce its expenditures, the loss limitation would no longer apply to Garrett County.
Waggoner and Larry McKenzie, the school system's director of finance, expressed their plans to travel to Annapolis next week (Feb. 22, 1 p.m.) to testify in favor of the senate bill. That process will be repeated in the coming weeks to support the house bill.
"This situation is unfair to our county," said Waggoner. "This legislation would do much to help Maryland's rural communities."
Waggoner stated that she has met with Senator Edwards to discuss the ongoing process. She also relayed a message from Delegate Beit-zel, who has requested that citizens send their stories, comments, and concerns to officials in Annapolis.
Pending any new decisions made at the state level, the superintendent's recommendation is now scheduled to come on April 10, after the board has heard from the school advisory committees on March 14. The board's final decision on the fate of each school would then come on April 24 at a specially called meeting.
It was also reported that 19 of the 158 eligible school employees have accepted the board's retirement incentive. On the superintendent's recommendation, the board voted to accept these retirements, which will save the school system approximately $450,000 in fiscal year 2013-14.
The board also recognized Southern High 10th grader Lindsey Murray, who designed last year's BOE Christmas card, as well as the Garrett County FIRST LEGO League teams which collectively took first-place finishes in three major categories at a recent state tournament.
"We are so proud of how these students have represented Garrett County," stated Waggoner.
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