WMDT 47 News - Delmarva's ChoiceSomerset County At Odds Over Proposed School Plan

Somerset County At Odds Over Proposed School Plan

SOMERSET Co., Md. - Parents and students in Somerset county weighed about the future of Crisfield and Washington high school.

Warner Sumpter, the School Board Chair says, "We're looking at some critical budget short falls within the county. We're also looking at a couple of schools who have not made AYP or possibly will not make it in future years."

Mary Handy, a Somerset county community member states, "We should not look at it negatively. Anything that is put together, usually works out for the best."

Due to low graduation numbers, one option on the table is to consolidate Crisfield with Washington high school. This proposed decision has split the county, with some residents for the merger, and others condemning it.

John Phoebus, a local man who is against the merger, says, "We need an educational solution to an educational crisis. The merger is only about trying to save money. And the sad fact is it wont even save money"

Even students got involved, as Vincent Kenney stated, "I disagree because the merger won't accomplish anything. It will just put two failing school's together and inevitably breeds failure"

Kirkland J. Hall Sr., a member of the local NAACP branch stated, "We have been studying this process with the educational system at Somerset county. We listened to experts talk about what they feel is best for the community and we're just convinced that there's power and strength in numbers. And we think that all the money that's donated and sent to our school system should be channeled to one school. And not spread all around the county."

The school system must have a plan by March 14th and submit it to the state by April 24th.