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Speak Out: Is a School System Facilities Study Necessary?
School Superintendent Steve Guthrie recently recommended that third party firm be hired to take over the study started by the school system in April.
The Board of Education discusses a comprehensive facilities study.
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At least one board of education member has suggested that the school system not hire a third party to conduct a school system facilities study if the goal is to close schools, since she doesn't believe any board of education members want to close schools.
During the county budget cycle last spring, the board of commissioners requested that the school system conduct a comprehensive facilities study to "assess the need for and proper utilization of the school facilities across the county over the next 10 years."
More recently that conversation focused on closing schools, with Commissioner Richard Rothschild coming out in favor of closing schools in an effort to cut overhead costs.
At last week's board of education meeting, where School Superintendent Steve Guthrie was expected to announce a series of cost-savings options including facility closures based on the comprehensive facilities study, Guthrie announced that he was uncomfortable completing the facilities study in house.
Guthrie told the board of education that he felt pressure to complete a study that he feels is rushed and that his staff does not have the expertise to conduct. Guthrie said that his staff has expertise in educating students, not in closing facilities.
Board of Education member Cynthia Foley suggested that the facilities study isn't necessary since no board of education members said they are in favor of closing schools.
"I do not think the numbers justify doing a study and closing a school," Foley said. "I don’t want us agreeing to a study wasting time and money because we’re trying to appease one commissioner who is bullying us."
Board of Education Vice President Barbara Shreeve said that she believes a third party should be hired to conduct a comprehensive facilities study but that her bigger concern right now is funding for the near future.
"I am in support of doing the study, I think we have to," Shreeve said. "That said, what really bothers me is that we’re talking a couple years down the road and yet we’re in a situation right now where there is not enough money to fund the school system right now, for next year."
"I don’t want to lose anything we have right now," Shreeve said. "I’m not hearing anyone say what’s going to get us through next year."
It is unclear at this point how much a third party study would cost and who would bear the cost of that study. Guthrie suggested the county would pay since the county asked for the study but Commissioner Howard said that "would be up for discussion."
Do you think a third party firm should be hired to conduct a comprehensive facilities study of the school system? If so, who should pay for it? Tell us in comments.
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JoAnn Nicholls
7:59 am on Friday, October 19, 2012
the study needs to be done...I am glad to know Ms. Foley is unconcerned that there are schools at a 44% capacity. I am also glad to know Ms. Shreeve agrees it needs to be done. I'll remember that when I vote. typically when things are really tight in private industry budgets we cut out the fat. Payroll is the first place to look because it is the largest and most controllable piece of a budget.
Buck Harmon
8:21 am on Friday, October 19, 2012
I agree with JoAnn, but with the stipulation that Commissioner Shoemaker pay for this study out of his own pocket, since he is one of the largest contributors to the excessive amount of school space that's being debated here.
S Thompson
9:28 am on Friday, October 19, 2012
And which schools are at a 44% capacity?
JoAnn Nicholls
11:19 am on Friday, October 19, 2012
I believe it is the Northern Carroll County schools that are under capacity and numbers are dropping each year county wide. I would agree to keep them open if they would use one for a charter school or allow one to be used for Career Tech.
S Thompson
11:25 am on Friday, October 19, 2012
Im not sure if links work in the forums, but i did not see any schools at a 44% capacity rating, however, i did see a few in the northern area in the 57% range. Pages 6-20 though 6-36.
http://www.carrollk12.org/Assets/file/School_Facilities/EFMP/Complete%20Document%20-%20updated%20070512.pdf
Converting one of the high schools in that area into a career and tech center would be wonderful though.
Isabel DeFeo
11:26 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
I'm glad you put that link in. I was going to look it up myself and I saw your link. I had written once to Mr. Guthrie about moving the tech center to an emptier area, and the reply was that they have to take into account that it should be central to the county for all the students and that there are a whole slew of costs associated with the tech ctr set up. It wasn't voted down, but it didn't seem likely.
BC
3:19 pm on Friday, October 19, 2012
There is no sense in wasting money on a study. The BOE would not support any of it findings. All they have to do it look at Manchester Valley and North Carroll High schools...both are in the mid 50%'s of capacity and are the problem. Keeping them both open costs the school system millions of dollars each year. They are not projected to grow in the number of kids anytime soon and given the state of the economy it is hard to believe numbers will grow any in the next 10 years. Admit the mistake and work to correct the imbalance it has caused in the school budget. The BOE and a couple of the commissioners will never never never admit that Manchester Valley high school was a huge mistake.
WestMonster
11:30 am on Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Due to the declining enrollment trend and underutilized facilities, a study SHOULD be conducted. I doubt it would cost nearly as much as is being spent to maintain and operate the extra capacity currently in the system. The idea to open a second Vo-Tech is a good one. I'm sure those schools cost more than traditional high schools, but they benefit is immeasurable.
Also, don't get married to this declining enrollment trend. The housing market won't be like this forever, and Carroll county is still a desirable place to raise a family. An experienced firm could project the possibility that enrollment increases and when, and where that might happen.
Charter schools would just make things more confusing. Get the study and go from there.
The school system should manage the study, so there's less likelihood of commissioner influence.
Isabel DeFeo
11:33 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012
The study doesn't have to be just about which school to close - it should be about making the entire system efficient and what is the best option with the current projections since we all know that while there is a decline for a few more years, in all likelihood, the population will grow again. And how many times have population projections beyond 5 years been wrong? The facility study should look at all facilities and their best use including how to use or expand the tech center. Who knows, maybe the study would not recommend any closures but offer viable alternatives to hold us until the student population grows again. Any maybe it will educate the commissioners on just how much it costs to close and then open a school. Also, don't forget that the decision to close is ultimately made by the MD Dept of Ed.