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Facilities officials warn maintenance staff shortfall is delaying repairs; Kennard HVAC cost jumps, district seeks state funding
Summary
Facilities supervisor Darryl Barickel told the board the district has about half the maintenance staff recommended by the state, deferred several projects after lower‑than‑expected state CIP awards and will refile Kennard Elementary HVAC as the top state project after a cost estimate rose to roughly $7.8 million.
Darryl Barickel, Queen Anne's County Public Schools’ supervisor of facilities and design, told the Board of Education on Oct. 1 that long‑term understaffing in the district’s maintenance workforce and reduced state capital funding have forced the system to defer projects and shift priorities.
Barickel said the Interagency Commission’s staffing standard equates to roughly one full‑time maintenance equivalent per 67,456 square feet and that the state’s recommended staffing level for the district would be about 21 full‑time maintenance staff. He said the district currently has 11 full‑time maintenance employees and is operating “at about 50% what we should have.”
Barickel said the shortfall shows up in longer response times on work orders and in state maintenance inspections. He listed deferred items including exterior painting, playground replacement, furniture…
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