Interim superintendent says reopening Kitzmiller, Dennett Road would create $1.4M budget hole
Cumberland Times-News
— OAKLAND — Members of the Garrett County Board of Education hope to use some of the $1 million-plus it will receive in additional state funding to return eight personnel to the schools, according to interim Superintendent of Schools Sue Waggoner.
During a special meeting Wednesday night, board members also discussed using funding from the passing of the state Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act for transitions of school closings, staff development and academic intervention, Waggoner said. Some of the money may also be used to alleviate transportation congestion at Southern Middle and Broadford and Yough Glade elementary schools.
“We are working with the county to make them more user-friendly and to make sure the drop-offs are safer,” said Waggoner.
Board members did discuss the possibility of reopening the schools they recently voted to close and also considered a petition for a revote. However, no motion was made by members of the board to rescind their decision to close Dennett Road and Kitzmiller elementary schools.
“We would be $1.4 million short for fiscal year 2014 if we reopened schools,” said Waggoner. “I feel confident and truly believe that the children will be fine. Change is never easy.”
The board followed the same procedure with the closings of Dennett Road and Kitzmiller as it did last year with Bloomington Elementary School, according to Waggoner.
“It has been a very difficult year. Hopefully now that we have a final decision, the healing process can begin,” said Waggoner. “Many have said things that have hurt people.”
Some of the residents got upset and yelled at the Wednesday meeting, according to resident Elizabeth Hebden.
Members of the Parents for Garrett County Education are unhappy about the decision to close the two schools a day earlier that the rest of the county’s schools, said Diane Donham, the group’s spokeswoman.
The group has filed an appeal with the Maryland Board of Education to stop the closures. The state board will have to hear the county board’s side and will have 20 days from the date it received the appeal to respond. The appeal was sent Monday, according to Donham.
The doors of Dennett Road and Kitzmiller elementary schools are set to close May 30. The remaining Garrett County schools will close June 1. The Maryland State Department of Education granted Waggoner’s request for a two-day waiver to close the schools.
“You indicate that 360 students will be moving from Dennett Road and Kitzmiller elementary schools to the new school for the 2012-2013 school year,” wrotes Bernard Sadusky, interim state superintendent of schools, in a letter to Waggoner. “Approving this request will allow staff time to pack up their rooms and move to their new schools without students being present.”
The board did not vote on approval of the budget but will likely vote on it at the June 12 meeting. Waggoner is working with Larry McKenzie, director of finance, to make the changes to the fiscal 2013 budget. The budget will be available for public comment on the board’s website by June 1, Waggoner said.
Contact Elaine Blaisdell at eblaisdell@times-news.com.
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