BOE Pushes Back School Closure Vote
Feb. 16, 2012
The Garrett County Board of Education informed those attending its Tuesday meeting that in light of new legislation being brought forward in Annapolis, it was delaying its decision on the potential closure of three county schools – Broad Ford, Kitzmiller, and Friendsville elementaries.
Originally, Sue Waggoner, interim superintendent of schools, was scheduled to make a recommendation to the board on the closure issue on Feb. 14. That recommendation will now occur at a meeting in April.
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“We’ve delayed our decisions to allow our advisory committees and our elected state officials more time to do their work,” stated Waggoner before an audience in the cafeteria of Southern Middle School.
The bills currently being proposed by Wendell Beitzel, Maryland state delegate, and George Edwards, state senator, – House Bill 660 and Senate Bill 586 – would cap cuts in state aid to Maryland school systems at 5 percent from the previous year’s budget.
These measures come after Maryland’s new state-aid formula has assessed Garrett County as the state’s fifth wealthiest, in spite of the large percentage of local children who qualify for free and reduced lunch. The assessment has presented the BOE with a loss in funds of around $3 million.
If passed, the new law would reduce the school system’s current losses by an estimated $1.1 million. Similar losses would be capped the following year; however, it is believed that by 2015, as the school system takes measures to reduce its expenditures, the loss limitation would no longer apply to Garrett County.
Waggoner and Larry McKenzie, the school system’s director of finance, expressed their plans to travel to Annapolis next week (Feb. 22, 1 p.m.) to testify in favor of the senate bill. That process will be repeated in the coming weeks to support the house bill.
“This situation is unfair to our county,” said Waggoner. “This legislation would do much to help Maryland’s rural communities.”
Waggoner stated that she has met with Senator Edwards to discuss the ongoing process. She also relayed a message from Delegate Beit-zel, who has requested that citizens send their stories, , and concerns to officials in Annapolis.
Pending any new decisions made at the state level, the superintendent’s recommendation is now scheduled to come on April 10, after the board has heard from the school advisory committees on March 14. The board’s final decision on the fate of each school would then come on April 24 at a specially called meeting.
It was also reported that 19 of the 158 eligible school employees have accepted the board’s retirement incentive. On the superintendent’s recommendation, the board voted to accept these retirements, which will save the school system approximately $450,000 in fiscal year 2013-14.
The board also recognized Southern High 10th grader Lindsey Murray, who designed last year’s BOE Christmas card, as well as the Garrett County FIRST LEGO League teams which collectively took first-place finishes in three major categories at a recent state tournament.
“We are so proud of how these students have represented Garrett County,” stated Waggoner.
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Closing Dennett Road would be major blow
Cumberland Times-News
My name is Kaitlin Shaffer. I went to Dennett Road Elementary School for five years: first through fifth grade. I am very distressed to even think about Dennett Road closing.
If Dennett Road closes, over 320 children will be taken out of a learning environment they are used to being in. Plus, they will be taken away from their friends, because the students of Dennett Road School would be split between three different schools.
The third graders would suffer the most, though. They would be expected to attend Dennett Road in third grade, a different elementary school in fourth grade, and possibly the Middle School in fifth grade!
Three schools in three years will not allow these children to make the connections with fellow students and teachers that they need to have a successful learning environment.
Now, onto the fifth grade situation. I have been informed that the Board of Education is thinking of putting fifth grade at the middle school in the tiny pods in between classrooms.
Those pods are five-sided and can fit 15 people in them at the max. There simply isn’t enough room or lockers for those students in addition to the sixth, seventh and eighth graders that are already there.
I also have heard that the second choice is to take the fifth graders and distribute them among Crellin, Yough Glades, and Broadford schools and close the schools the students came from. If this is done, the class sizes would be huge, which I know from experience isn’t good either.
I am in sixth grade honors classes at the middle school. My teacher’s job is made more difficult due to a very large class size of 29 students.
We have to learn lessons very fast so we can complete our state curriculum, and if there is something you don’t understand and want some help you are faced with a choice, go up to the teacher and wait for a long time because there are so many other kids in line.
Or, try to figure it out by yourself, which doesn’t always go so well. There is the option to go for tutoring in the mornings, but when there is homeroom, you sit in the back with about 20 people in the classroom.
If fifth grade is placed at the other elementary schools in Oakland, their classes will be much like mine.
In my fifth grade year, I had 20 students in my class and it was a lot easier to get help and learn because my teacher, Ms. Simms, didn’t have to divide her time between nine extra students.
I had a wonderful connection with her, because she simply had more time to get to know me.
So, if Dennett Road closes, those kids are deprived of that. And if the school closes, it doesn’t just affect fifth grade, it affects the entire community! Some excellent teachers will lose their jobs, everyone is forced to move somewhere else, and all the schools will be overcrowded. So it just causes problems for everyone.
I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to read my letter. I hope that the Garrett County Commissioners and the Garrett County Board of Education will truly consider my thoughts, as I am just one of hundreds of students who feel this way.
Kaitlin R. Shaffer
Oakland
Counties favor bill to help education
CUMBERLAND — Both the Allegany County commissioners and the Maryland Association of Counties have voiced their support for a proposed bill that would limit any decrease in state funding for public school systems to 5 percent in any one year.
The commissioners wrote a letter to Delegate Sheila Hixon, chairwoman of the House of Delegates Ways and Means Committee, in support of House Bill 660.
MACo voted to support both HB 660 and companion Senate Bill 586, according to Garrett County Commissioner Gregan Crawford, who is a member of the MACo Board of Directors and Legislative Committee.
The legislation was introduced by Sen. George Edwards and cross-filed in the House by Delegates Wendell Beitzel, Kevin Kelly and LeRoy Myers, Crawford said. Approval would equate to additional funding of about $1 million for the Garrett County school system, according to Crawford.
More here.
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Robotics team to host open house
ACCIDENT — FIRST Robotic Team 1629 will demonstrate its robot Sunday from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Garrett Engineering and Robotics Society site in Accident.
The program, For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology, is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders.
The open house will be the last chance to see FRC Team 1629’s robot in action before it gets shipped off to various regional competitions. FRC Team 1629 is in its eighth season and is partnered with the Garrett County Public School System, Beitzel Corp., Pillar Innovations, Wilson Supply and J.C. Penney.
For directions and weather-related announcements concerning the open house, call 301-334-8926 or 301-746-6161.
More here.
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Time For Some Ice Art
The fifth annual Winter Fest will take place in downtown Oakland Feb. 17-19. Bill Sandusky and his ice carving company, Frozen Assets, will arrive in town next week to begin the artistic work, that of creating a wide array of ice sculptures to be displayed throughout town, and lit at night for as long as they remain frozen. A great number of activities and events are slated for Saturday, Feb. 18, downtown, such as wine tasting, snowman building, s’mores making, and, if the weather allows, snowmobile races. More activities will take place Sunday, which will end with Sandusky’s carving of his own tribute to the festival. There is a “toddler photo” contest that will begin next week at Marvin’s (see separate story) as well, with the winners to be announced Saturday. Sandusky and his staff will carve ice for audiences to watch. There will be ice-bowling and sliding, and kids can sit on a giant throne of ice. For a complete schedule of events, persons may go to www.oaklandwinterfest.com. There will be “something for everyone” at this celebration of winter. Photo (at last year’s event) by John McEwen.
Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!
GC Lawmakers Will Not Submit Union Bargaining Bills
Feb. 9, 2012
Sen. George Edwards and Del. Wendell Beitzel will not pursue a legislative request by the Board of Garrett County Commissioners that would mandate collective bargaining for Garrett County Roads Department employees currently represented by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 67, Local 1834.
By a vote of 2 to 1, the commissioners asked the local lawmakers during a meeting on Dec. 20, 2011, to submit bills in the current Maryland General Assembly session that would allow for collective bargaining.
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The county has informally recognized the union and conducted collective bargaining on a voluntary basis since the 1970s. Commissioners Jim Raley and Bob Gatto indicated during the December meeting that mandated collective bargaining would offer the roads workers some protection and job security, regardless of who held county or state offices.
Commissioner Gregan Crawford opposed the collective bargaining issue.
Raley acknowledged during the December meeting that a local resolution would need to be written that talked about some of the “nitty gritty” details between the union and the county, including such issues as membership requirements and strikes.
Edwards and Beitzel informed the commissioners in a letter dated Jan. 30 that they would not introduce the proposed legislation.
More here.
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Beitzel, Edwards Introduce Bills Of Local Importance
Feb. 9, 2012
Del. Wendell R. Beitzel (R–Dist. 1A) announced this week that he has filed several bills in the Maryland General Assembly that directly affect Garrett and Allegany counties.
House Bill 660, a bill that would cap the losses of state funding for education incurred by local governments, has been assigned to the House Ways and Means Committee.
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Beitzel said this bill is important in light of the 11.8 percent proposed cut included in Gov. Martin O’Malley’s FY 2013 budget for Garrett County schools. A similar bill, Senate Bill 586, was filed by Sen. George C. Edwards (R–Dist. 1).
“The children of Garrett County deserve quality education,” Beitzel said. “These cuts proposed by the governor severely hamper the BOE’s ability to adequately fund K–12 education in the county, which is evidenced by recent proposals to close three more public schools. Senator Edwards and I will fight, as we did last year, to continue quality education for western Maryland’s children.”
Beitzel also filed bills regarding the leases of natural gas and oil. HB 403 would require the inclusion of an intake sheet for natural gas and oil leases when the leases are recorded by the clerk of the court. Edwards has filed similar legislation, SB 773.
The delegate explained that current law does not require the inclusion of an intake sheet, and stipulates that a clerk can accept a lease without such a sheet.
“Upon passage of this legislation, the intake sheet can be used to better index these natural gas and oil leases,” Beitzel said.
Other measures dealing with natural gas and oil include HB 732/ SB 773, which would require natural gas and oil leases to contain certain uniform language. Each also provides for the recordation of leases.
In addition, HB 744/SB 770 would require leasing agents, known as “landmen,” be registered with the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation in order to do business in the state of Maryland. Similar measures were presented to the Texas legislature, Beitzel noted.
More here.
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Public Hearings Slated For Local Lawmakers' Bills
Feb. 9, 2012
Public hearings have been scheduled in Annapolis for several bills introduced by local lawmakers during the Maryland General Assembly session.
The Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee reviewed Sen. George Edwards’ SB 331 today. This bill would allow local jurisdictions to “opt out” of the state requirement that sprinkler systems be installed in manufactured homes.
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The Senate Budget and Taxation Committee will hold a hearing on Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 1 p.m. for Edwards’ SB 332. This proposed legislation would exempt the state’s Family Security Trust Fund from a requirement that specified interest accrue to the General Fund.
Del. Wendell Beitzel’s HB 402 will be reviewed by the House Environmental Matters Committee on Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 1 p.m. This bill would require a court order that terminates a dormant mineral interest to identify specified information, and require a clerk of the court who issued the order to record it in the land records.
That committee will also hold a hearing for Beitzel’s HB 403 on Thursday, Feb. 16, at 1 p.m. This bill would prohibit a clerk of court from recording an instrument that affects a specified real property lease dealing in natural gas and oil unless the instrument is accompanied by a complete intake sheet.
The House Economic Matters Committee will review Beitzel’s HB 222 and HB 223 on Monday, Feb. 27, 1 p.m. These bills were requested by the Garrett County Board of License Commissioners/Liquor Control Board. HB 222 would give the board the authority to revoke a license because of nudity or sexual displays at the licensed premise, as outlined in Article 2B § 10-405(j) (2).
More here.
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Commissioners Issue Statement On Board Of Education Funding Issue
Feb. 9, 2012
The Garrett County commissioners issued a statement during their public session on Tuesday concerning the local Board of Education’s fiscal year 2013 funding woes. About 50 local residents turned out to hear the announcement.
Commission board chair Jim Raley prefaced the statement reading by noting that he and the other two commissioners have attended all the BOE public hearings regarding the possible closures of Dennett Road, Friendsville, and Kitzmiller elementary schools.
“It is important to understand that while the state of Maryland has cut funding to education in Garrett County due to the wealth factor formula and the declining student population, the county has increased funding in excess of requirements known as the maintenance of effort by $860,000,” Commissioner Gregan Crawford read from the statement. “In fiscal year 2012, the Board of Education funding level was reduced by the state by $1.5 million, while Garrett County increased funding by $1.7 million, which is equivalent to all new tax revenue due the county.”
The commissioners noted that they recognize the serious financial situation that the BOE faces and that closing schools requires complex decisions that will have long-term implications on communities.
“The commissioners also recognize and emphasize that the issue and actions regarding school budgets, closure of schools, and the overall decisions about our school system rest in the elected members of the Board of Education,” Crawford read. “Any action on the part of the board of commissioners as the funding sources is not intended to usurp their difficult decisions.”
The statement notes that Garrett County government has also experienced a financial shortfall and that there are numerous challenges to securing funding for public services for residents, property owners, and visitors.
“Initial estimates reveal that the county real estate values have declined for FY 2012 and likely will result in a loss of $1.4 million in revenues to the county,” Crawford read. “Therefore, we are willing and open to increase county government’s financial appropriation to the Garrett County public school system, but are unable to provide a solid figure at this time, due to several variables.”
In the mean time, he indicated, the commissioners will do the following:
• Encourage the BOE to review retirement incentives in order to encourage retirements that will allow for the reduction of staff numbers without eliminating the jobs of new employees.
• Encourage the BOE to collaborate with the county to identify areas where overlapping services and practices may be consolidated and/or reduced in order to mitigate costs related to maintenance of effort.
• Encourage the BOE to continue to engage the public, central office staff, instructional staff, and administrative personnel for input in ways to enhance and maximize operations, as well as consider all options and proposals that can generate savings.
• Provide and direct additional funding, within affordability parameters, thus allowing the BOE the opportunity to look at a long-range vision of school needs based on projected enrollments and community interests as contained in the reports to be presented by the school communities.
• Support legislation (SB 586/HB 660) proposed by Sen. George Edwards and Del. Wendell Beitzel to cap the loss of state funding to any school district to a 5.5 percent limit.
Raley asked for the public’s help in getting SB 586/HB 660 passed in the Maryland General Assembly.
“We need to inundate the legislative folks with calls, , e-mails on that bill,” Raley said. “We need to give that bill some momentum.”
More here.
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A Proper Farewell
The life of Rev. John A. Grant was remembered and celebrated Tuesday in a final farewell, involving hundreds of mourners. Grant, a well-known historian and Episcopal priest, died Friday at the age of 88. A veteran of World War II and a graduate of West Virginia University, Grant came to be one of the most articulate and well-informed historians of the local area, serving as editor of the Glades Star, the journal of local history published by the Garrett County Historical Society, for 19 years. Grant was also an active member of the Deer Park Volunteer Fire Department, the American Legion, the Oakland Masonic Lodge 192 AF&AM, the Scottish Rite, Ali Ghan Shrine in Cumberland, and clan chief of the Ali Ghan Pipes and Drums.
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In the funeral procession Tuesday, more representatives of organizations touched by Grant were present, and are visible above. The Deer Park firefighters followed the casket on Oakland’s “Old Number 1,” which is now housed in the county’s new Transportation Museum (the yellow building on the right of the street), in which Grant was involved. He was a charter member of the Garrett Highlands Pipes and Drums, with whom he played the bagpipe for over 30 years. That group preceded the fire truck, as shown. St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church is at center, where the reverend served as rector for many years. He was also vicar of St. John’s in Deer Park and Our Father’s House at Altamont. As was noted at the ceremony, Grant lived a full and active life, giving freely of himself and his abilities. Photo by John McEwen.
More here.
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