This decision impacts students who will attend Bennett Middle and students of many other schools. While there are dollar figures associated with the project, the vote on March 1 was only about keeping the project itself on the table.
If the Bennett Middle project had remained in the county's capital plan for FY2012, the Board was committed to working with the County Executive and the Wicomico County Council to explore every possible avenue for funding.
The school system will continue to work with any interested funding agency or source to attempt to get the replacement project funded, in keeping with the plans supported by the Educational Specifications Committee, Board of Education, School Building Commission and others in the community throughout the long-term planning process.
The Bennett Middle project affects far more than the immediate Bennett Middle community. Additional delays would impact the elementary schools that feed into it, as well as James M. Bennett High School, which cannot be completed until the middle school is at its new location. Other projects at West Salisbury, Glen Avenue, East Salisbury, Wicomico Middle, Pittsville, Parkside, Mardela and Delmar would be further delayed if Bennett Middle does not move forward now. Students and staff of Bennett Middle would have to continue to work to learn in a facility that does not meet current instructional needs for program space, technology or environment.
32 comments:
If you're really concerned about giving our children a quality education, Freddy, let's show them (by example) what a 'can do' attitude and adaptability are all about, instead of whining and fussing when things don't go the way you want them to.
Let's get in touch with reality here. We aren't going to build your new school building right now. So demonstrate some good character and press on with optimism and courage.
Show these kids some maturity.
I would like to know if either council member was included in the idea of finding additional funding sources. Maybe Dr. Frederickson needs to realize who has the appropriation authority. Pollitt has to realize under whose authority funding is! And the public needs to know this too.
I am conservative, and I believe in fiscal responsibility. However, there was no real reason to remove it from the CIP. Everyone has this chest poked out mentality right now. What about the members on the council now who agreed to allow the new highschool to be build knowing the plan involved replacement of JMB?
anonymous 9:19,
We simply cannot afford it at this time. Times were quite different when they chose to move ahead with the High School. Just beccause it was finished last year doesn't mean they didn't aprove it almost 10 years ago.
Frederiscksen doesn't mention the Middle School being stage FOUR of the High School project. That's MANY years from now. They have only completed stage ONE!
Go to some of the meetings I do and you'll clearly see just how desperate a financial position Wicomico County is in. The Council Members are there to represent YOUR money and this time they made the right decision.
Also, be prepared for many more decisions just like this one. They are NOT going to fold under pressure from a select few of you crying the blues like spoiled little brats. It's about time someone said NO!
The Wicomico County Council did the correct thing at this time. The income of the county does not support building the school at this time. Trouble is if they voted to give it a go ahead then the state would give funding and Wicomico would have to come up with their share. No matter what Fredy says the burden would then lie in the Councils court to come up with money that is simply not available right now. Some deep cuts need to be made everywhere and its a shame the school gets the axe for this year but this council sees they cannot keep spending money when there is no money to spend. Had the Board of Education worked early on to resolve this the council may have been more willing to move forward however we now have a responsible council that is actually doing the will of the majority of it's voters.
but, but, but, if we don't take the free money, somebody else will.
we can't let that happen.
our keeds need the best facilities in the state. i'm sure their grades will skyrocket to heights heretofore unseen.
I'd like to know if Freddy is a Democrat.
Believe me, I know the financial situation of the county. What I am saying, is that they didn't have to remove it from the CIP. They could simply decide to not fund in the future. Removing it was simply politics. I find it funny at meetings when people talk about cutting this or that, then follow up with how they want something. I hope that those of you who voted for the revenue cap are happy. People complain about taxes, yet Wicomico county has one of the lowest tax rates in the state, and Delaware for that matter. When the wheels start falling off the bus, some of you are going to have to take a hard look at your stance on the revenue cap. It is not possible to have increases in citizens to provide services to, the cost of those services going up, and being handcuffed to a revenue cap. A rate cap would be much better.
BTW, I am not crying the blues. I don't really agree with the school being built right now either, but I think all the posturing needs to stop. Although they may be impressing you, some people can see through their actions.
Doesn't get it does he. If he'd expend 50% of the energy on educating children as he does on wasting money our kids would all be brilliant scholars.
9:48 AM you are an idiot. The longer it stayed on the table the longer the dirty politics would be played to spend money we don't have. If you want that new school then you tell us who YOU are and where YOU are getting the money for it!!
I think this action from the Superintendent is a direct attack against the County Council. The same County Council that confirms his reappointment as a Super. My vote goes to the council members and board members that to doesn't confirm his reappointment!
Lets start with salary cuts beginning with Freddy and all the assistants it takes to do his job, which used to be accomplished with only 1 person. Now lets move on to (known) bad teachers-get rid of them! That would be a pretty attractive piece of funding to begin the project.
Go Rams!
10:08, apparently you are the idiot. I personally do not think we can afford the school. My point is that it didn't have to be removed from the CIP. Things in a CIP don't have to be funded or built. There are many projects on CIP's that will never be built. They are simply a wish list. The fact is, a new school is needed. Maybe not this school, but at some time, a school. I find in funny that YOU want to know who I am, why YOU sign anonymous. What an idiot. HAHAHA
This super is from another area and needs to return to it. Good job council! Freddy can go back across the bay and Ricky can go back to Fruitland if they'll have him back. Not!
Hey 10 :33 I didnt write any of those comments but i too think you are an idiot. The revenue cap is something that has to be. It just has to be.Wicomico is one of the worst counties in the whole state of Md to live in thanks to all the taxes and fees and additional revenue streams there always trying to come up with.
Adults calling each other idiots.... and we wonder why the kids can't behave in school.
Idiot 10:33 AM
Thank you for your input, but you are obviously a liberal moron! HaHaHa... a rate cap verses a revenue cap. Give me a break you idiot!
My blood boils because of people. Thanks Joe for letting me vent!
After reading this , Freddie is part of the problem , not part of the solution. I just got sick to my stomach .
You know if Frederickson would roll up his sleeves, along with parents and kids of Bennett Middle School, and go there on Saturdays and after school and start fixing the place up, it wouldn't be so bad. I'm sure there are carpenters, plumbers, electricians who are parents that could donate some time and effort to their kids school to make it better for them. If everyone would come together instead of just thinking "new this and new that" all the time, it would work but no, they would rather complain. Think outside the box people, there is no money now, so get together and make it better for your kids.
One correction (to 10:11): The superintendent is hired by (and fired by) the Board of Education, not the County Council. I don't think that the Council has anything to do with the selection of the superintendent, even in the confirmation process.
The plans were in the works long before Dr. Frederickson came on the scene. This decision by the council was a power play and nothing else.
The last statement shows he is holding all other projects hostage until he gets his way with Bennett. What does Bennett have to do with repairs at Pittsville, Parkside, Glen Ave. The man is playing politics with our schools and children. If Rick wants to show leadership he needs to jump in on that problem,or he becomes the problem.
10:55, hey moron, do you realize that Wicomico county has some of the lowest taxes in the state? Go ahead and keep believing what you want, and drinking the koolaid from voice. A rate cap is actually what many people believe they voted for. Most people don' even know what a revenue cap is. If you want high taxes, move to delaware. Their tax rate is anywhere from 1.80 to 6.25 pere 100.
To all who is under the impression that BMS has been removed from the CIP----please pay more attention. It was not removed. It was pushed up a year. It is still in the CIP.
2:35...He is not holding other projects hostage. They have been on the county CIP for many years behind this project. They are funding according to the list they were put on.
12:49, you are wasting your breath. Most of these guys don't want to be confused by facts. They don't fit their preconceived notions. You need only to disagree and the namecalling starts. It's certainly telling that the only way they can keep a debate going is to bring out the labels.
Shame, shame shame on Rick & the BOE. What happen to "all working together?" Rick & the BOE need to remember where the funding source comes from. Yes, Rick can put up anything, as he has done so irresponsible, but the council has the final say on allocating it.
If Rick & the BOE were working together to find alternative funding sources then why didn't they share that information with the council instead of letting the CIP for $16M get to the point of a vote?
There are no heros here--just victims---children and us, the tax paying citizens. And, I feel for the council--guess they are only getting spoonfed from Rick & the BOE when it's convenient for them to do so. Again, Shame, shame, shame on Rick & the BOE.
Anonymous said...
One correction (to 10:11): The superintendent is hired by (and fired by) the Board of Education, not the County Council. I don't think that the Council has anything to do with the selection of the superintendent, even in the confirmation process.
12:49 PM
You are wrong, the Wicomico County Council has the final say in who is hired as the Superintendent!
Then if the County Council has the final say in who is hired as the Superintendent---then they should send him packing. And, Rick, your days are numbered. You only won by the skin of your teeth---and by a nobody running against you. Wait until the next election--I know the Democrats will put someone up against you. You don't even have their support let alone the support of the Republicans. You
are the talk of the town, and it ain't good talk.
Citizens will soon find out how much power the County Council has. For years the Exec. has spoken about how much power he thinks he has but "let the fat lady sing."
The council is the "checks & balances" of the exec. office. He has chosen not to work with the council. Oh, I can see it coming now---check mate!!!!!
I went to BMS, I am in college now, I am pretty sure BMS did a good job in my teaching needs with out the need for a new "mansion" haha.
liberal tax and spend right here
if a company turned out shoddy products how long would it be in business? after seeing the skills of the students being turned out by wicomico county school district, I personally think we the taxpayer have been ripped off. some of it's the school boards fault some of it is the parents fault and alot of it is the students fault. a new school building is not going to change this fact!
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