Wicomico County Executive Richard M. Pollitt, Jr., announced today that he is forming a special task force to tackle the funding challenges presented in planning the construction of the new Bennett Middle School. The County Council eliminated funding for the project in the Fiscal Year 2012 Capital Improvement Plan.
“This project is too important to the quality of our children’s education and the health of the Bennett Middle School population to allow undue delay,” emphasized Pollitt. “I am, therefore, calling for the immediate assembly of a special task force for the purpose of seeking dynamic, workable solutions to this daunting problem. I propose that I and members of my staff; representatives of the Board of Education and representatives from the County Council meet as soon as possible to develop a plan to keep this critical education project on track.” The executive also commented that, “I appreciate all the hard work done by the School Building Commission to date. I believe the progress accomplished by the Commission represents an excellent place to start our review.”
Pollitt said that he is in the midst of inviting individuals to join the task force and that the first meeting will take place in the near future.
On March 1, 2011, the Wicomico County Council voted to delete $16 Million in the County Executive’s Capital Improvement Plan (C.I.P.) for Fiscal Year 2012 for construction of a new Bennett Middle School.
The demolition of the old Bennett Middle School (B.M.S) and the construction of a new one are regarded as Phase 2 of the overall project that included the opening of the new James M. Bennett High School last September. The land currently occupied by B.M.S. is earmarked for athletic fields for the high school.
Since the March 1st vote, Pollitt has had several meetings with his staff, elected officials and Board of Education leadership to discuss the future of the project. Pollitt has been looking into the feasibility of alternative means of construction financing outside of the traditional selling of bonds.
15 comments:
I hate when everyone says it's for kids. The kids don't care what their school looks like. The bldg doesn't make a good school. That bldg is fine. If economy is booming build a new school. What part of broke does the govt not understand? Make due with what you have, just like everyone else has to.
Just like my young son.
I tell him 'no'.. he presses on to see if I really mean it.
The County Council, speaking for the citizens who elected them, said 'no'.
This is starting to look like some pretty compulsive behavior.
Did anyone see 60 minutes Sunday night? A school is experimenting with paying teachers high salaries, but holding them accountable for the students' progress. The school is publicly funded, but concentrates its budget on salaries. They get the very best teachers because of the high pay, but they get great results as well. They don't have state of the art facilities--they hold classes in TRAILERS--but the students achieve because of the quality of instruction. They stay in budget, but it works because of what they choose to spend their money on--quality instruction.
http://www.dailymarkets.com/economy/2011/03/14/60-minutes-125000-for-public-school-teachers/
Pollitt just never did learn the word NO. For Pete sake, make do, it's not like money is growing on trees out there. The Council said NO, the general population out here say NO, and that means NO, not perhaps or maybe. Grow up Pollitt and quit acting like the spoiled kid that you are.
There is a certain desperation about this.. it would seem that Ricky may have promised somebody something that is going to unravel if this school doesn't proceed on schedule.
Inquiring minds are wondering...
Does anyone know whether or not the Wicomico Charter allows for recalls. If so it is time to get one started for Pollitt.
9:56 -
Don't blame me -- I voted for Ollinger!
Rick the Slick strikes again.
Why is everyone afraid to have all parties involved in taking another look? Most people would agree we need the school but are concerned that we can't pay for it. Are we so entrenched in our opposition that we aren't willing to at least explore alternate financing? The council participants can always say no again. What are you people so afraid of? And to you McGruff, stop looking for the boogie man conspirator behind every action you don't agree with. Just because you have a different opinion than Pollitt, it does not make him dishonest. Take your inquiring "mind" and worry about something real. Get a grip!
11:24 - You say "Most people would agree we need the school". Reminds me that 84% of cited statistics are created at the time of utterance; you say most but an overwhelming number of registered voters say we need better education much more than a new mausoleum to house an incompetent educational organization (including 100% of the attendees at a non-affiliated, non-partisan unrelated meeting last week). Fix the problem then see if "Most people would agree we need" a new building.
11:49, 11:24 here. I should have said "most people who are actually in or will be in the building...." Those who have no knowledge of what the students and teachers are dealing with every day maybe don't agree. But you're right; I have no idea what those who have never been in the building feel about it. I can only speak to the throngs of parents and grandparents with middle schoolers (and I am not one of them) who have voiced their frustration with this council. Have any of your 100% agreeing nonaffiliates actually been inside the school to see its condition? Or are their opinions "in theory?" Just curious.
3:08 - Yes. All agree buildings don't teach. Is not like they need to etch with burnt embers on wood pieces by the light of the fireplace, in an unheated one room house like one of our greatest presidents. Like I said, most people I know believe there needs to be a major alignment of objectives in favor of education rather than opulent amenities.
Why are the current buildings, made mainly of concrete, steel, aluminum and glass, in such poor condition?
Why have they been so poorly maintained?
"Oh, we knew we were going to build new buildings, so we just let these go."
Well, we can't come up with $47 mil to build the Taj Mahal Middle School just now, but maybe we can come up with enough to do some maintenance on the current buildings.
4:40, what are you answering "yes" to? Have those 100% meeting members been in this school or are they espousing a theory - as was the question asked? I love it when people answer yes (or no) to an "either/or" question. Generally, that indicates an unwillingness to answer the specific question. Do prove me wrong. And Logical, you should forget trying to promote reason; it doesn't fly too well here.
Sorry about your toes, LogiCal.
But I've seen how Rick operates, and
there's a real good chance things are happening in the back room.
Not idle chatter, either.
Nobody's 'afraid' of taking another look. But there's no point in messing with it, especially when it will cost the taxpayers more in the long run.
The council made their decision. Live with it.
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