WORCESTER COUNTY, Md. -- A new administrative building for Worcester County Public Schools is no longer a part of the county's Capital Improvement Plan. School officials are looking to replace the almost 75 year old building.
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Worcester County Schools, Vince Tolbert, revealed that the aging administrative building is in dire need of a comprehensive overhaul due to major problems in mechanical, plumbing, electrical systems, and the roof.
During the finalization of the CIP, essentially a wishlist for future projects, four out of the seven Worcester County Commissioners voted to remove the administrative building replacement project. Commissioners Bunting, Fiori, Abbott and Bertino all voted to remove it.
Commissioner Eric Fiori cited several reasons for the decision. In 2022, the county allocated $50,000 for paving, $32,000 for new carpet and other renovations, and $282,000 for new windows.
"I mean that's kind of like putting lipstick on a pig, to be blunt with you right now," said Tolbert. "It's going to make it look better but as far as touching the mechanical and the plumbing and electrical issues in this building, it's not going to touch those things."
Fiori justified the decision by highlighting the need to prioritize other financial commitments, including salary increases for teachers, bus drivers, and support staff. He argued, "Our teachers, bus drivers, and support staff are wishing for raises, and this is why a replacement building completely funded by the county should not be on a wishlist at all."
However, Commissioner Joe Mitrecic, one of the three commissioners who voted to retain the project on the CIP, expressed concern over continually applying temporary solutions.
"At what point do you stop putting band-aids on it and look at it," Mitrecic questioned.
Even if the building had remained on the CIP, any future replacement project would still require a separate county vote for funding approval. Tolbert affirmed the commitment of Worcester County Schools to collaborate with county officials in addressing the infrastructure challenges. Notably, the project is ineligible for state funding and would need to be entirely financed by Worcester County.
