Concerns about school building ranking delays funding proposals

ANNAPOLIS — A panel of lawmakers and school system officials delayed approval of two proposals that are expected to lead to a statewide review of school buildings and possibly change how state school construction money is allocated.

The nine-member Work Group on Assessment and Funding of School facilities delayed initial actions amid continued concerns about how a ranking of more than 1,400 schools across Maryland might be used and how it could affect local school system priorities.

“We all care about our kids,” Maryland State Superintendent of Schools Karen Salmon said. “We’re trying to figure out a way to go.”

The panel, led by Salmon, is charged with establishing a new method of determining need for state school construction dollars. The legislature is expected to consider a plan in 2020 that could allocate $2 billion to replace and renovate schools across the state.

Salmon had hoped the panel would be able to come to a consensus about the underlying criteria for a facilities grading system and how it would be used to improve school buildings.

“We have admired the problem a whole lot,” Salmon told the group. “Now we have to come up with a solution.”..

https://thedailyrecord.com/2019/09/25/concerns-about-school-building-ranking-delays-funding-proposals/

The discussion over the details of the initial proposals was far from finished.

The panel is debating a proposal that would impose a new ranking system that would grade schools based on the age, life expectancy and current condition of school buildings. Increased emphasis would be placed on buildings that have deteriorating roofs, failing heat or air conditioning systems or other health and safety concerns. The formula also would attempt to funnel money to improving or replacing schools that are no longer educationally sufficient because of size or outdated design.