Debate over Showell Elementary construction finances continue in Worcester County
The Worcester County Commissioner’s and the Board of Education agree there’s no doubt Showell Elementary needs a brand new building.
The consensus appears to end there. The major disconnect is over finances. Tuesday, the commissioner’s put their foot down making their final offer $37.2 million for construction. They say their budget just can’t handle more.
Madison Bunting, the president of the county commissioners says, “We need to fund future expansions of the Stephen Decatur Middle and Buckingham to get rid of the portables there, and to give teachers raises. That’s been our whole goal. We want to try and save money in one spot and give it to the Board of Education in another.”
The school board countered this offer with the results of a feasibility study, which looked at Ocean City Elementary as a model. According to this research, the board estimates the new Showell Elementary would cost closer to $51 million.
Dr. Jerry Wilson, Worcester County Superintendent says, “We duplicated the same numbers, the same configuration, in a very rough manner because we really need to go through the planning phases to determine what Showell Elementary needs.”
Bob Rothermel, the school board president says, “We haven’t gone through any processes to figure out what that number would bring. All we have had is a feasibility study that suggests sizes for the Showell Elementary school community.”
The board wants to follow their procedure which includes consulting several resources.
Rothermel continues, “Then we come forth with a design to the county commissioners saying this is what we believe is the appropriate size, appropriate dollar amount, and appropriate finished product.”
The school district says it needs a building big enough to accommodate 616 students, which they claim would meet the needs of future student growth.
However, the county commissioners stated they did their own study in Anne Arundel County which shows their figure is fine. They’re holding firm to their figure.
The Worcester County Board of Education will discuss this funding offer at their regularly scheduled meeting in November.
The superintendent tells 47 ABC no matter the disagreement, the school district is dedicated to getting the new school.
Bunting says the commissioners will be holding a special meeting on Tuesday and if the school board can agree on the $37.2 million currently on the table, the commissioners are prepared to move forward.
