VoteBYoung - Capacity

Capacity

School capacity is a great concern. We must ensure that there is a quality learning environment for our students. The current system, and especially the state requirement that you must “see the whites of their eyes” before construction a new building to alleviate overcrowding simply doesn’t make sense.

Development and population trends may be sufficiently predicted to make sure we keep up with demand in a progressive—not reactionary—manner. Even if only our current numbers are considered—before taking BRAC into consideration—our school system does not have the adequate capacity in the right places to meet our needs.

As Prospect Mill Elementary demonstrates, the major construction wave of the early 1990s has been overwhelmed, as that school is at approximately 150% capacity without real relief being available. Aberdeen High opened over capacity, and Patterson Mill and the new Bel Air High are likely to be the same situation.

I will support the creation of a continual fund for new education construction projects. This fund would operate similarly to a rainy day fund. Every budget cycle, a certain amount would be set aside for school construction. Unused funds will collect interest, and could be used as a pool for future construction.

Instead of struggling to find a one-year budgetary expense of $75 million, as the new Bel Air High and new Edgewood High buildings will demand, this innovative approach could decrease demands and to counteract rising construction costs.

If this fund can be implemented, Harford would be far better able to meet the capacity needs of our school system before they reach the boiling point. It will allow time for an open debate on how to make schools to best benefit our students and teachers for many years to come. It will allow for a timely discussion on architectural development that will create an overarching plan for how the building will fit into the community as a whole.

Not only will students and teachers have a facility when they need, but our community will gain a building that will add to the infrastructure of our county. Perhaps most importantly, the fund will allow our school system to construct a superb facility in far less time than the Bel Air community has had to wait—this plan will allow the school board to take action to meet our needs.