On August 2, 2023, the Dorchester County Board of Education voted unanimously to end the Facilities Feasibility Study, which began in February 2023 and was conducted by Baltimore-based consultants Hord Coplan and Macht (HCM). The purpose of the study was to determine the condition of Dorchester County Public Schools’ aging infrastructure. This would assist the BOE in their assessment of the facilities during a time of declining enrollment and increasing financial pressures through the Maryland Blueprint Law.
According to DCPS Board Vice President Mike Diaz, the study was proving to be a “distraction” at a time when the Board’s focus should be on academics, safety, alternative education, and teacher retention. The BOE members feel the information from the study will assist them in decisions involving building maintenance, renovation needs, or proposed new buildings, but those decisions are for the future.
The online comment section of the feasibility study will remain open through the summer. The BOE will use HCM’s final report to glean information for use to improve school facilities. For the foreseeable future, no changes will be made.
Write a Letter to the Editor on this Article
We encourage readers to offer their point of view on this article by submitting the following form. Editing is sometimes necessary and is done at the discretion of the editorial staff.