— OAKLAND — The Garrett County commissioners unanimously approved both the $71,835,856 fiscal 2015 operating and capital budgets as well as the fiscal 2015 tax rates during their public meeting Tuesday. The real property tax is $0.9235 in Mountain Lake Park and $0.990 in all other areas. The tax rate includes the fire tax rates, special fire tax levy per $100 and the landfill bond tax.

“This should be a joyous day like we celebrated over the weekend with our graduates because in this instance government has contracted and has actually cut funds for the budget that keeps the tax rate at 99 cents and still covers the basic services provided by the people’s government and it also kept community schools open this year,” said Jim Raley, commissioner. “What we hope by keeping the tax rate the same is that investors once again look at buying and building in Garrett County’s wonderful areas.”

The budget will be reduced by more than $6.5 million when compared to fiscal 2014 ($71.8 million versus $78.3 million). The county lost more than $5 million in revenue, $3 million in real estate tax, $525,000 in income tax and $500,000 in recordation tax, according to Scott Weeks, director of financial services for the county.

Commissioner Gregan Crawford stressed that despite the reduction in the budget that the property tax rate was kept flat, there weren’t any cost of living adjustments in the budget and the rainy day fund, which makes up 5 percent of the budget, remained intact.

“Friends, I just want to say that this budget before us is one of the most difficult in my four years,” said Raley. “Not only does it involve having to say no to many agencies and people who I trust, but it also cuts into services performed at the governmental level.”

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— OAKLAND — In an open letter to the Garrett County Board of Education, the Garrett County commissioners expressed their frustration over being placed in a collective bargaining negotiation process with the public school system.

“It was you, the board of education, who negotiated a salary increase only to then make anincrease in employee compensation a controversial segment of the county government fiscal year 2015 budget,” says the letter addressed to Thomas Carr, president of the board. “It would seem from a responsibility perspective that you would honor the agreement you negotiated by eliminating items within the approved 2015 Board of Education budget.”

Carr said that reopening the negotiations would be the worstcase scenario.

“We have gone through a lot of choices and a lot of the cuts, that is not part of what is being considered. Since the letter went out we would really like to know where the written notification required by law is stating that we are anticipating reopening negotiations,” said Carr during Tuesday’s county commission meeting.

Larry McKenzie, director of finance for the board, questioned the accuracy of some of the facts contained in the letter.

“There are certain half truths within the letter,” said McKenzie.

McKenzie agreed that the board’s budget had increased to $51.8 million in fiscal 2015 compared to $51.3 million in fiscal 2014.

“I would say, by the same token, that we’ve made cuts and adjustments,” said McKenzie.

Cuts have been made to positions and the budget includes capital items such as the Southern Middle School renovation project, the alternative education program, textbooks and computers, according to McKenzie. The renovation project could potentially cost $16 million, according to the letter.

“Yes, we show a budget increase but certainly it’s not haphazard in terms of how those funds are being spent and certainly they are needs of the school system and needs of Garrett County,” said McKenzie.

— OAKLAND — The Garrett County Board of Education is proposing a major shuffle of the student population as well as a rearrangement of districts and class space as part of an ongoing effort to consolidate due to falling enrollment and a shrinking funding base.

After having studies completed on the school facilities and how they can best be utilized given the current student population, the school board has developed a four-year plan to consolidate the school system.

The consolidation will include moving many students to different schools and will cause families to review their transportation options.

Jane Wildesen, the supervisor of elementary education for the board, is also a member of the School Attendance Area Committee, which helped develop the set of recommendations that are a part of the new plan. The new consolidation plan is open for public input by email and postal mail through June. Two meetings, on June 16 at 5 p.m. at Southern Middle School and June 18 at a location to be determined, will be held to take public input as well. The board may take action on the plan at the June 18 meeting.

Wildesen, who stressed that she does not speak for the school board, said the consolidation plan has been a challenge.

“Anytime changes like this are considered it is difficult. We have already closed three elementary schools: Dennett Road, Bloomington and Kitzmiller,” said Wildesen.

The plan asks for the boundaries for all schools to be revised. The proposed changes in the new consolidation plan are as follows:

• Portable units adding eight classrooms will be added to Broad Ford Elementary School to alleviate overcrowding.

• Approximately 25 students from Broad Ford will be sent to Crellin.

• Broad Ford students living in the Swan Meadow district will have an option to attend Swan Meadow.

• Southern Middle School to undergo complete renovation. Sixth grade to use portable units during construction.

•  57 students at Broad Ford will be sent to Yough Glades.

• Approximately 47 students at Yough Glades to attend Swan Meadow.

• Swan Meadow to become K-5, with grades 6 to 8 attending Southern Middle.

Bus transportation will remain as is and will not be extended to encompass any of the proposed changes for the 2014/2015 school year. Any student who can use established routes will continue to be provided that bus service.

“If a stop is on the existing routes, we will honor that. The transportation system is being evaluated for 2015/2016. We are still analyzing the cost for transportation,” said Wildesen.

Wildesen said the renovations at Southern Middle School are extensive and will take two years. She said the project will depend on securing funding.

“The school is 37 years old and has never had any revisions. We are hoping for approval for the design phase. If approved, we could start in the summer of 2015,” she said.

The boundaries of the Swan Meadow, Broad Ford and Yough Glades districts are all being re-evaluated. The school system also wants to implement a universal start and end time for all schools.

The plan has a proposal that would grandfather the incoming fifth-graders at Broad Ford to stay at Broad Ford if they apply for an “Out of Area Request.”

“Our hope is for a far more efficient and sustainable delivery of educational services to all students,” said Wildesen.

Email input on the consolidation plan to areaenrollmentproposal@garrettcountyschools.org. Letters can be mailed to: Garrett County Public Schools, Attention: J. Wildesen, 40 S. Second St., Oakland, MD 21550.

Greg Larry can be contacted at glarry@times-news.com.

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