Statement From Dr. John E. Fredericksen, Superintendent Of Schools, On The Bennett Middle School Project

ProjectStatement from Dr. John E. Fredericksen, Superintendent of Schools, on the Bennett Middle School Project:

On behalf of the Wicomico County Board of Education and the Wicomico County Public School System, I am pleased that County Executive Rick Pollitt has included $15 million for the construction of the replacement Bennett Middle School in his fiscal year 2012 capital plan. This project has been on the drawing board since 2005, and comes to the county for funding with the endorsement of the county-appointed School Building Commission. This Commission has been a key partner in the planning and oversight of this project from the very beginning, as it has been on previous major school projects.

In fiscal year 2010, the County Council approved $5 million in construction for this project, but the sale of those bonds is still pending. It is critically important for the county to vote to fund this year’s capital request of $15 million for the project for a number of reasons.

Timing: Wicomico Schools received state planning approval for this project and anticipate receiving partial state construction funding later this year. However, if county funding does not come through, it could mean that state funding would not be allocated. If Wicomico misses the state funding cycle for Bennett Middle construction this year, it would in all likelihood increase the projected cost of the project and delay it by several more years. While we understand and appreciate the tough economic conditions we are all in, we also realize that these same conditions are extremely favorable for construction. Funding this project now would allow us to take advantage of marketplace factors that make construction more affordable right now. It is also important to understand the state funding formula. For this project, the state’s share of eligible construction costs is 87%, leaving only 13% of eligible construction costs requiring local funding.

Process: The planning for the Bennett Middle project took several years, and included a feasibility study on the entire Bennett Complex (2005), public exploration of a new site for Bennett Middle (2007), development of educational specifications for the new Bennett Middle by a school and community panel (2008), acquisition of the property on South Division Street in Fruitland for the relocated Bennett Middle (2009), and state planning approval for the replacement Bennett Middle School project (2010). Throughout this process, the Board of Education, the Wicomico County Council and the County Executive have been kept informed, as has the School Building Commission, which has at each step recommended that the school system’s plan for Bennett Middle move forward. The construction plans for which the Board of Education is seeking funding from the county were developed through a thorough, well-considered process designed to result in a facility that would best serve the educational needs of students now and for the future.

Other Projects: The replacement of James M. Bennett High School on the Bennett Complex site and demolition of the old JMB were always understood – by the school system, School Building Commission and county – to be the first two phases of a three-phase project. Phase 3 is the demolition of the existing Bennett Middle School and development of the entire site for the high school’s use. Until the replacement Bennett Middle is built off site, at the Fruitland location, the James M. Bennett High project cannot be finished nor can the resultant 8-acre parcel of open land at the corner of College Avenue/South Division Street be made available to potentially help fund the Bennett Middle replacement project. In addition, other important school projects such as renovations of West Salisbury Elementary, Glen Avenue Elementary, East Salisbury Elementary and Wicomico Middle School would continue to be further delayed. At the same time, critically important systemic renovation projects such as the HVAC improvements for Pittsville Elementary and Middle School, Parkside High, Mardela Middle and High, and Delmar Elementary, would also be delayed. All of these projects are behind Bennett Middle on the Board of Education’s priority list for projects requiring funding.

Instruction: The existing Bennett Middle facility, like the old James M. Bennett High School, is deficient in many ways and is less than adequate to support the current instructional requirements there. Students attending Bennett Middle come from several elementary schools, many of which use the latest instructional technologies. Many Bennett Middle students will go on to James M. Bennett High to experience its technology rich instructional environment, but during their three years at Bennett Middle access to instructional technology is severely limited by the facility. Inadequate space and advanced building systems to facilitate the free movement of staff, students and technology equipment between floors, along with a total lack of air conditioning, create both instructional and technology challenges.

Facility Issues: The school is deficient in many aspects as was outlined in the feasibility study done in 2005. It does not include a fire suppression system, does not meet the new life safety/building codes, and does not meet the accessibility standards. This last issue alone forced several students to transfer to other middle schools where they can be served. Along with a lack of an elevator, Bennett Middle does not have a full HVAC system and is not able to meet the new ASHEA standards for new schools. The level of air quality, including the lack of air conditioning, does not support the school system’s Master Plan Strategic Priorities of High Student Achievement, Safe Learning Environment, and Effective and Efficient Operations. Bennett Middle is the only large school in Wicomico County without air conditioning.

Community: Bennett Middle used to host the annual Destination ImagiNation Tournament and monthly SAT testing, but those events have now moved across town to the better facilities offered by Salisbury Middle. Bennett Middle has also lost the after-school use of its grounds, which must be used by the high school until the three-phase project is complete. The facility limits the connection students, families and the community have to the school. The continued presence of Bennett Middle at the current site will also prolong the community’s frustrations with traffic congestion on College Avenue, congestion that the school system seeks to reduce.

We are all aware of the funding issues government faces at all levels given current revenue issues. The school system is developing its own budget for fiscal year 2012, and we face difficult decisions in trying to live up to our responsibility of providing a quality education even with shrinking resources. While this may not be an easy time for the county to vote on funding a major project like Bennett Middle School, it is the right time. For the sake of Wicomico County students and families, and the community, please vote to include this year’s construction funding request of $15 million in the county Capital Improvement Plan.