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St. Mary's County commissioners approve $250,000 transfer for Spring Ridge Middle School renovation
Summary
The Board of County Commissioners authorized a $250,000 transfer from FY13 capital reserves to the Spring Ridge Middle School renovation project (PS 1303) to demonstrate local commitment while the school system pursues state funding.
The St. Mary's County Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to transfer $250,000 from FY13 capital reserves to the Spring Ridge Middle School renovation project, a move the county and school system said will strengthen the county’s application for state funding.
Dr. Martirano, superintendent of St. Mary's County Public Schools, told commissioners the local contribution was important to state reviewers and said, “the question that I'm always asked at the state level, what is the local commitment to this project? So I'm very pleased with the conversation that occurred yesterday.”
The transfer will be posted to project PS 1303, identified in the motion as the Spring Ridge Middle School Renovation. The board’s action authorizes Commissioner President Jack Russell to execute a budget amendment moving the $250,000 from the FIN13 capital reserve into the new project. Commissioner Cynthia L. Jones moved the action and Commissioner Morgan seconded; the board approved the motion by voice vote.
School officials said the approval follows recent, intensive coordination with the state education and appropriations processes, including discussions with the State Superintendent and the local legislative delegation. Dr. Martirano and deputy superintendent Brad Clements said advancing a local funding commitment helps position the project for the Interagency Committee on School Construction and the Board of Public Works review later in the year.
Board members and school officials discussed an internal project-number discrepancy: backup documents referenced a PF13 designation while the budget amendment used PS 1303 (staff advised the PF13 reference reflected internal sequencing but the BA sets up the PS1303 project). Commissioners requested updated project sheets for the official file.
No detailed schedule, state funding amount, or construction timeline was provided during the meeting; commissioners said they will monitor follow-up steps with school staff and the state.
The board took the vote after brief discussion; the motion passed with the chair announcing, “Ayes have it.”
