Leonardtown, MD — Several of the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County have questioned the population estimates used to develop the school system’s capital improvements program. The questions were raised during a presentation of the program by school officials during the commissioners’ Sept. 22 meeting.
The school system, using previous experience and population estimates from the state, is predicting an increase of 2,522 students in the next ten years, compared to a growth of 1,185 students in the past ten years. The system is expected to have swelled by 300 students this school year, although final enrollment figures aren’t expected until Sept. 30.
Based on the projections, the capital improvement plan shows planning for a new elementary school in the Great Mills area to begin in 2017, planning for a new high school (possibly on St. Andrews Church Road) to begin in 2021 and a second new elementary school beyond the six-year capital program’s range. The new high school could transition from a middle school to a high school.
School Superintendent Scott Smith, Deputy Superintendent of Support Services Dr. Jeff Walker and Director of Capital Planning and Green Schools Kimberly Howe made the presentation. They showed the same Power Point presentation that had been recently shown to the school board. That presentation revealed an escalation of anticipated school construction costs, due largely to an increase by the state in cost per square foot caused by inflation and mandated minority set asides.
“I think this is a very hard thing for the public to swallow,” said Commissioner Todd Morgan [R: 4th District], noting nominally-zero inflation and stagnant salaries. He pointed the finger at the minority set asides.
Several of the other commissioners however picked up on the anticipated student population increase as a driver of costs and projects. “This doesn’t make sense to me,” said Commissioner Mike Hewitt [R; 2nd District]. He asked, “What’s driving it. It just seems counter intuitive when the Navy employment is flat.”
Howe noted overall growth. “We are a very attractive place to be. We have jobs, we have schools.” She observed also the trend of students staying longer in the school system, indicating less turnaround in the local job market.
But Hewitt retorted, “I am not hearing any expansion. Show us what’s growing that says we are going to have that kind of population.”
Hewitt (shown above), a former school board member, insisted he supported the school system and needed facilities, he just questioned if it would be growing that fast.
Commissioner Tom Jarboe [R: 1st District] also took note of the stagnant defense industry in wondering if the projections were valid.
Smith suggested that the commissioners look around at the upcoming county fair. “They are all our kids,” he said.
Commissioner John O’Connor observed that some of the growth in the county is from commuters as opposed to those connected with the base. But he challenged the escalating costs.
Morgan noted that although the commissioners were being asked to approve the six-year state capital improvements plan, really the only year cast in stone was the first, Fiscal Year 2017. He said succeeding years can be modified during the yearly revision to the plan.
In the end Hewitt abstained from voting and O’Connor voted against the plan which passed with three supporting votes.
For the Bay Net story on the presentation to the school board see: /articles/0815/stickershockhitsschoolconstructionprojects.html
Contact Dick Myers at dick.myers@thebaynet.com
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