Worcester Co. Public Schools discuss priorities for ’23 Capital Improvement Plan

November 2, 2021

Han Cechini,

WORCESTER COUNTY, Md. – Tuesday, Worcester County Commissioners and Worcester County Public Schools (WCPS) officials discussed top priorities in the district’s 2023 capital improvement plan.

There are no planning or funding requests included in the plan. But district officials say some projects need to get rolling soon.

“Certainly, we’ve got some roof repairs that we need to do to Snow Hill Middle and Cedar Chapel Special School, as well as Pocomoke Elementary School,” said Superintendent Louis Taylor.

Long-term planning also includes renovations and additions to Buckingham and Snow Hill Elementary Schools. Supt. Taylor says the projects will help the district grow, along with the county’s population.

“Most of our schools that are being built can accommodate some growth. That’s another avenue that we look at when we’re renovating or building a school, so that we can accommodate the growth,” he said.

“It’s great to have new schools, but the other schools are aging as well. Some of them are 30 or 40 years old. When you’re talking about Buckingham and when you’re talking about Pocomoke Elementary, Snow Hill Elementary,” added Worcester County Commissioner Josh Nordstrom.

WCPS is also looking at adding a wing to Stephen Decatur Middle School and eventually eliminating portable classroom trailers across the district. As those plans and longer term goals are ironed out, Nordstrom says the number one priority is students’ education.

“When we get to that point, we’ll look at plans, we’ll look at price tags, and we’ll come to an agreement, hopefully, on what we should do moving forward. We always want to take care of our kids and make sure they have the best education possible,” he said.

The designs and bidding process for the addition to Stephen Decatur Middle School are complete. Supt. Taylor says construction is expected to begin this month. Plus, he says the district is hoping to begin renovations on Buckingham Elementary School between 2025 and 2026.