Plans for a new fine arts center at South Carroll High School have jumped up the Carroll County?s list of funding priorities ? from No. 7 to No. 2.
“There has been a lot of citizen contact with the state, the county and the town, and I guess the county is listening,” said Michele Johnson, head of a task force formed to address the school?s facilities.
“There are a lot of citizens that feel that now is the time to get going on this.”
The project also has been moved to state priority No. 3, increasing the chances the project will get funded.
“I think we?ve been trying to get the fine arts addition, and it?s always been rejected by the state,” School Board Member Patricia Gadberry said.
“My guess is that maybe if we bring it up in the priorities for funding, the state might think we are serious, but we always have been.”
The $18.6 million center?s status changed last month in the fiscal 2008 budget for construction projects, according to budget documents.
The request was first presented to the School Board on Aug. 9, and is slated for approval at tonight?s meeting. The board does not determine the priorities, Gadberry said.
School administrators could not be reached for comment.
Although the elevation of the fine arts facility will be good news to many parents and officials, the task force said the project should be linked to overall plans for South Carroll High?s modernization, Johnson said.
The modernization plan, which would include new electrical, plumbing and wiring systems, among other improvements, is slated for funding in fiscal 2013, according to the budget documents.
Plans for the project have been pushed back for several years, with the project sliding down the list of funding priorities.
Parents and officials recently toured South Carroll High, as well as three other high schools, to assess the facilities.
Many have been vocal about the need for South Carroll?s students to have similar facilities as their counterparts at other high schools.
IF YOU GO:
» What: School Board meeting on budget request for fine arts center at South Carroll High School
» When: 5 p.m. today
» Where: 125 N. Court St., Westminster
