Facilities officials warn maintenance staff shortfall is delaying repairs; Kennard HVAC cost jumps, district seeks state funding
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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 replacement and asphalt milling and paving that were put off after the district received about $8 million in state capital funding rather than the roughly $12 million it requested.
On a project‑by‑project basis, Barickel said the Kennard Elementary systemic HVAC renovation — previously on the fiscal‑year 2026 state list — must be resubmitted because construction cost estimates increased. “We budgeted around $4,000,000, and the project is closer to around $7,800,000,” he said; the board voted to resubmit that project as its top FY27 state priority.
Barickel also asked the board to seek state design funding for Centerville Elementary School’s HVAC systemic replacement and to reapply for Centerville Middle School renovation funding after earlier state approvals lapsed. He said the Centerville projects and other state CIP requests the district is submitting include a mix of roof replacements, fire alarm upgrades and HVAC systemic work across several schools and that state approvals are required if the district expects state cost participation.
Barickel described a furniture‑replacement estimate the district prepared about two years ago at roughly $2,000,000 and said the county agreed to fund that over three years with about $650,000 a year; he said that local furniture funding did not make the cut in the current year’s county budget and will be requested again.
He told the board the state’s shared‑cost formula currently leaves Queen Anne’s County at a roughly 50% state/local construction share; he added that projects designed to meet a “net zero” standard can qualify for an additional 5 percentage points of state participation. For Centerville Middle School design the district plans to pursue net‑zero design objectives to secure that enhanced share.
Rob Watkins, interim chief financial officer, explained a set of budget transfers the board approved the same night to reclassify line items in the FY26 operating budget so expenditures align with Maryland finance rules. Watkins described $109,901 being shifted into administrative category 1 to correctly charge advanced placement testing and other internal moves; the board approved the transfer (amendment #1 to FY26) by voice vote.
Board members pressed Barickel on how long the staffing shortfall has existed and whether more work is contracted out; Barickel said the district has long requested additional maintenance personnel and that some specialized installation and new work is contracted while routine repairs are handled in‑house.
The board voted to approve the district’s comprehensive maintenance plan and the state capital improvement plan as presented.
