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Resident urges board to act as Del Mar Elementary runs at "over 130%" capacity
Summary
A Del Mar resident told the Wicomico County Board of Education that Del Mar Elementary is operating at "over 130% capacity," urging the board to move beyond studies and prioritize solutions as students and staff face tangible harms in overcrowded classrooms and portables.
Rachel Lord told the Wicomico County Board of Education during public comment that Del Mar Elementary School is "to this day…operating at over a 130% capacity" and called on the board to prioritize a concrete response. She said the school's attendance area has grown by "over 50 in the last 15 years" and that new homes continue to be built in the community.
Lord described harms she said are caused by overcrowding: teachers becoming overworked, students unable to get individual attention, and children walking between buildings in sub‑zero wind chills to reach portable classrooms. She said a study is underway but warned that a study alone ‘‘does not guarantee action’’ and asked the board to pursue a committed solution as soon as possible.
The board did not take formal action on Del Mar during the meeting; the comment was received during the public‑comment portion of the agenda. No district staff provided a specific timeline for a response during the session. The superintendent's office and board indicated they would continue to monitor capacity and planning items through routine agenda and planning processes.
The public comment ends with Lord asking the board to "prioritize a real solution for Del Mar as soon as possible." The board acknowledged the comment and proceeded with the published meeting agenda.
