MCHENRY — Facility Engineering Associates, P.C. will share the results of the elementary school facility needs assessment and master plan study for Garrett County Public Schools in a public meeting Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. in the Community Aquatic and Recreation Complex at Garrett College.

FEA was engaged by the school system to provide an in-depth study to provide information on the best options to cost-effectively meet the instructional needs of the students in the county. In three years, declines in revenue and student enrollment have brought about reductions in the work force, the closure of three schools and the elimination of programs, according to a news release. Dennett Road and Kitzmiller elementary schools closed last year as a cost-cutting measure and Bloomington Elementary was closed in 2011.

The school system estimates losses of $1.5 million for fiscal 2015 due to the state’s wealth formula which is, in part, based on enrollment.

The school system will not have available $700,000 that was received from a legislative hold harmless initiative used to balance the current year’s budget, according to the news release.

Sen. George Edwards recently wrote to Gov. Martin O’Malley requesting him to put in an administration bill, support one that Edwards puts in or request through the budget process to hold counties harmless from losing any money until a new wealth formula is complete. The wealth formula will be looked at in the fall of 2014 and won’t be included until 2016.

If O’Malley doesn’t provide emergency action, process for school closures will begin in the fall, Edwards said.

Given the financial challenges ahead of the school system, the results of the study will provide data to help identify short- and long- term facility plans to meet the needs of the students enrolled in the school system, according to the Garrett County Board of Education.

The scope of the study includes the assessment of elements required by the Code of Maryland Regulations, which governs school closings should the board vote to move in that direction.

More here.