BERLIN, Md. -- It was recently revealed that the state of Maryland will not help with the construction costs for a new Buckingham Elementary school. It has left parents and county officials confused, but determined to still make this project work.
When word first got out, it struck a cord with parents.
"Incredibly frustrating," said Tom Simon.
"It seems unjust and yeah, it was infuriating," said Amy Fitzgerald.
"The frustration lies on many levels," said Tony Weeg.
The Berlin community has been advocating for a new elementary school for over a year. Citing limited space at the current school. Last October, the state approved design fees.
This February however, the Inter Agency Commission, which determines if the construction of a new school warrants state funding, determined Buckingham did not fall in that category.
Joe Price, Facility Planner for Worcester County Public Schools, said it's because the IAC said there are open spots at other schools.
"They're saying that based on their enrollment projections and calculations we have empty seats at Showell Elementary, Ocean City Elementary and Berlin Intermediate School, they're called adjacent schools," said Price.
Those findings, according to Price, are based in part on how many students can fit in each classroom.
"We have 641 seats empty according to their[IAC] calculations based on state rated capacity, which is 23 to 25 students per classroom," said Price. "Worcester County does not do that, we do 16 to 18, so there are no 641 empty seats at those schools."
Price also pointed out that Berlin Intermediate serves grades five and six and technically is not an elementary school.
WCPS tried a different route, going through the Sustainable Communities Program, only to get the same result. IAC notified WCPS in September that Buckingham was officially not eligible for state funding towards construction of a new school.
"I don't understand how four years ago when Showell was built, Buckingham, Ocean City Elementary and BIS were not considered adjacent schools," said Simon.
The reason?
"The response I got from the state on why it's changes is because different people are looking at it and interpreting it differently now," said Price.
Chip Bertino, County Commission President, said he did wish WCPS had notified the county after realizing funding could be off the table in February.
"Certainly I think information is always a positive, especially when we're partners on this very important project," said Bertino.
Now being at the point where state funding appears like it won't be an option, Bertino said the county is committed to making this project work.
"We're looking to the Board of Education to help us find a path forward, because the parents and teachers and students deserve a new school," said Bertino.
And parents hope it becomes a reality.
"At some point in time, those students and those teachers and that administration deserves the school that they were talked about and promised," said Weeg. "Promised is a hard word to use, but no part of this seems correct."
WCPS Superintendent Lou Taylor did speak with state representatives on Thursday morning and the school system plans on appealing the IAC's decision.
We did reach out to the IAC on Thursday for comment, they said nobody was available.
