Bowling Green Elementary teachers urge board to prioritize school funding and space

The Caroline County Board of Supervisors meeting on March 25, 2025, highlighted urgent concerns regarding the capacity and funding of local schools, particularly Bowling Green Elementary School. Several community members voiced their frustrations over the lack of adequate resources to accommodate the growing student population amid new housing developments and grocery store expansions in the area.

Kelly Wanrow, an art teacher at Bowling Green Elementary, emphasized the pressing need for additional funding for schools, stating that both Lewis and Clark Elementary and Bowling Green Elementary are currently over capacity. She pointed out that classrooms are being repurposed for other uses, which compromises the quality of education. Wanrow urged the board to allocate available funds—approximately $23.9 million designated for schools—toward addressing these critical space shortages rather than investing in new community center projects.

Marcia Stevens, Chief Operations Officer at Caroline County Public Schools, addressed discussions about renovating the aging Lotus Academy. She presented findings from an architectural assessment indicating that renovation would be neither cost-effective nor practical, with projected costs nearing $15 million. Stevens advocated for new construction to meet modern educational standards and accommodate future growth, as the current facility cannot adequately serve the anticipated increase in students.

Lisa Stevens, a resident and grandmother of a Bowling Green student, echoed the call for prioritizing school funding in the county's budget. She urged the board to take immediate action to address the facility needs of local schools, emphasizing the importance of a well-funded educational system for the community's future.

The meeting concluded with a commitment from the board to consider the community's concerns as they move forward with budget discussions and planning for school facilities. The urgency expressed by residents underscores the critical need for timely action to ensure that educational resources keep pace with the county's growth.