School funding still iffy

New high school, Jenifer project not yet approved

Friday, Jan. 29, 2010

Charles County public school officials are hoping for funding approval from the state for construction of a new high school and renovations for Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer Elementary School.

After the annual appeal for school construction funds before the state Board of Public Works last week, the county found out that funds had been approved for five projects at Mary B. Neal, Indian Head, Arthur Middleton and Eva Turner elementary schools and John Hanson Middle School.

Neal was given $250,828, the remaining school construction balance after $466,666 was awarded last year. The other elementary schools were awarded funds for full-day kindergarten additions or renovations. Turner was awarded $1,646,000, Indian Head $915,000 and Middleton $644,000.

Hanson was awarded $1,436,000 for renovations at the school.

Charles Wineland, assistant superintendent for supporting services for Charles County public schools said the "begathon" went smoothly this year and he remained confident that the two remaining requests — for the new high school and the new roof and air conditioning at Jenifer — would be awarded.

School officials are looking for $8.2 million for the first-year construction funds for the county's seventh high school set to be built on Piney Church Road in Waldorf. They also asked that the high school's capacity be increased to 1,600 students.

In early December, the Interagency Committee on School Construction recommended the school be built for 1,300 students. The school system appealed to BPW for funds allowing for 300 more students.

"I'm still hopeful we will receive the go ahead at 1,600 that is so obviously needed," Wineland said.

The public works board will makes its decision in March.

The estimated cost of the high school scheduled to open in 2013 is around $75 million.

gphillips@somdnews.com