Buckingham Elementary School approved for funding for a new school
WORCESTER COUNTY, Md. – Staff and parents have come together about the conditions at Buckingham Elementary School in Worcester County.
With new funding being poured into the area, Tuesday marks a breakthrough for parents and educators as Worcester County Commissioners gave the go-ahead for funding for Buckingham Elementary to bring the community one step closer to a new school. “Buckingham’s never gone under a renovation project and right now we’re busting at the seams,” said Principal Christina Welch. Getting the funding for Buckingham Elementary has been a long time coming, yet now all parties, Worcester County Commissioners and Worcester County Board of Education are on the same page. “Great step forward, we’re so excited to have Buckingham Elementary included in that and have really a financial number that everyone can get behind it’s just exciting to see the project moving forward,” said Worcester County Commissioner Eric Fiori. Tuesday’s unanimous vote to approve the capital improvement plan now ensures funding that’s necessary to start building a new school. “$50,000,000 is assigned to the Buckingham construction project and obviously with the state right now they have a more handshake agreement that will be around $5,000,000 – $5,000,000,” said Fiori. It’s a project that county officials say is a need given current school conditions. “Our kids are using the gym as a multipurpose room. They’re using the cafeteria as also a gym, the stage is a music room. We have makeshift classrooms so the idea that there’s going to be meaningful purpose-filled spaces is what teachers and students were looking forward to,” said Principal Welch. “They’re in an environment where they’re really shoved in, really close together, we have bookcases separating classrooms. There’s a great need at Buckingham,” said Fiori. Buckingham Elementary School Principal Christina Welch is thrilled the project is continuing to move forward, calling this an equal opportunity for her staff and students. “Students at Buckingham Elementary School get the same facilities and opportunities that students in Worcester get and in Maryland get,” said Principal Welch.
Principal Welch says that the school is very lucky because they have enough staff, parents, and stakeholder participation to come together for such a big change. The next step of the project is the design phase.
The Worcester County Board of Education also proposed funding for Snow Hill Middle School for a roof replacement to be executed in summer 2024, which will be further discussed.
