Consultant presents four facilities options, costs range $64.7M–$93M; board plans community meetings

RRMM Architects returned to the Caroline County School Board on Jan. 13 to present the facilities master‑plan Phase 3 options developed from prior facility-condition and demographic studies.

Mark Prost of RRMM reviewed the facility condition assessments showing deferred maintenance concentrated in plumbing, mechanical, electrical and roofing systems, and summarized FutureThink enrollment projections estimating approximately 816 additional students (about 18% growth) over 10 years under a moderate scenario.

RRMM presented four options:

- Option 1 (approx. $85 million total): new fourth elementary school (~450 students, ~56,250 sq ft), small additions to Caroline Middle and High schools, purchase and renovation of a ~71,700 sq ft vacant building to house administration/maintenance and portions of programs, and a new transportation facility; deferred maintenance in this scenario reduced by relocating Lotus Academy and other functions.
- Option 2 (approx. $93 million total): new fourth elementary and consolidated school board office on the same site, new transportation facility, and larger CHS addition to house Lotus Academy and the Chesapeake Bay Governor’s School.
- Option 3 (approx. $64.7 million total): purchase/renovate vacant building plus pre‑K center (~26,000 sq ft), new transportation building, and additions at middle and high schools.
- Option 4 (approx. $73.7 million total): smaller additions distributed to existing elementary schools, purchase/renovation of the vacant building for administration/maintenance and community space, and transportation and secondary additions.

Cost drivers discussed included construction, deferred maintenance (estimated at roughly $29–30M in scenarios shown), and the choice to build new versus renovate older buildings. Board members and the consultant discussed land availability for additions, relocation of playgrounds and options for removing properties from the district ledger (sale or gifting to the county) to reduce deferred-maintenance liabilities.

Next steps outlined by staff include appraisals of school‑owned properties, a parent advisory meeting Jan. 27 at CMS, community meetings and a community survey; the district also anticipates meeting with the board of supervisors to review options prior to any CIP submission or bond referendum planning.

Why it matters
Projected enrollment growth and large deferred maintenance needs create multimillion‑dollar capital planning choices that affect classroom capacity, accreditation requirements and long‑term costs for the county. The board will weigh redistricting, cost, duration and community preferences before recommending an option for funding.

What’s next
RRMM and district staff will host community meetings, complete property appraisals and present a recommended option for CIP submission; timeline and financing (including possible bond referendum) remain to be determined.