OC Today WWW.OCEANCITYTODAY.COM
DECEMBER 15, 2023
SERVING NORTHERN WORCESTER COUNTY
NEW FOOD
TWO EATERIES INCOMING
Owner of Spain Wine Bar plans fine dining spots for OC and Ocean Pines – Page 11
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Ad agency gets specific with targets Will engage influencers, try AI with its new campaign
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SEA STAR
A common sea star finds itself on the rock near Stinky Beach in West Ocean City after, presumably, searching for sea snails, mussels, barnacles and other small shellfish on which it might dine. Notably, this particular specimen sports a length of leader from a fishing line on the left in the photo above. Lucky for the sea star, there was no hook attatched.
By Hunter Hine Staff Writer (Dec. 15, 2023) As part of its 2024 media plan, BVK, the Milwaukee, Wisconsin advertising agency handling Ocean City’s marketing, intends to use several data companies and artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze and attract tourism to the resort. At a special City Council meeting Monday afternoon, and again at a stakeholder breakfast at the convention center Tuesday morning, staff from BVK reviewed their 2023 media plan and outlined the company’s objectives for marketing the city in 2024. The company’s targets include appealing to more specific groups of consumers by inviting social media influencers and journalists to the resort, promoting the offseason and employing AI-based marketing. See BVK Page 4
Offshore boat racing to return to resort June weekend set to take to sea while air show shifts to August in summer ‘24 By Mallory Panuska Managing Editor (Dec. 15, 2023) With the Ocean City Air Show moving to August this year to accommodate a new headliner, the second week in June is wide open to welcome the return of an event set to happen much closer to land — or more specifically, water. At a work session Tuesday, City
Council members unanimously advanced details of the Race World Offshore, or RWO, Powerboat Race, set tentatively for June 8 and 9 in and around Ocean City. The event is slated to feature 60 participating vessels of various classes and sizes driving around a 5mile loop through the bay from Sunset Avenue to 29th Street. Special Events Director Frank Miller said the town is set to serve as a producer for the spectator side of the event by providing elements such as a dry pit at the convention center
and hosting people in town. The organizer, RWO Offshore, will manage the participants and the water-based race course. The finish line will be at 16th Street, with primary viewing from 14th to 18th streets.
“It’s really no different than the air show,” Miller said of the viewing area. The dry pit area, which will include primary racing boat public access, boat wash sites, potential vendors See JUNE Page 6
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DECEMBER 15, 2023
Ocean City Today
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Ocean City Today
Bike racks denied again at crab house site By Mallory Panuska Managing Editor (Dec. 15, 2023) A developer’s lastditch effort to construct bicycle racks on a downtown street near the former Philips Crab House was shot down this week after he was unable to meet a requested condition because of liability concerns. At a work session Tuesday, City Council members unanimously voted to deny a request from local developer Mike Ramadan to remove parking and a loading zone along Upshur Lane between 20th and 21st streets to install a series of public bicycle racks. Ramadan is building 14 multi-family units — which are unofficially intended to provide employee housing for J-1 student visa workers — inside the shuttered restaurant. The request for the bicycle racks was introduced at a Police Commis-
sion meeting last month, where it died in a 2-2 tie. It came back to council members Tuesday with a series of conditions from staff members for approval, which included requiring that Ramadan install and maintain the racks, and remove uninstall them during the off season for snow removal. Ramadan said he would buy the racks, but contended that he could not install and uninstall them himself because they would be public. “It’s a liability issue,” he said in reference to advice from his attorney. “If anything happens, they are not dedicated to the J-1 workers staying in that location, they are available to the public.” City Manager Terry McGean said public works staff members would not budge on wanting the racks removed in winter but do not have the
ability to do it themselves. “The staff feels pretty strongly. We want them out of there during the winter because of the issue of snow removal,” McGean said. “And they don’t want the responsibility of pulling out bike racks and putting them back in.”
Initially, Councilman Tony DeLuca motioned to approve the request with the conditions. But when he found out Ramadan could not meet them all, he withdrew it. Councilman Will Savage followed up with a motion to deny the request, which was approved.
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Upshur Lane between 20th and 21st streets and Baltimore and Philadelphia avenues downtown will remain a parking and loading zone after City Council members denied a developer’s request to build bike racks.
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Ocean City Today
DECEMBER 15, 2023
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BVK, the marketing firm contracted with advertising Ocean City’s tourism, gave a review of their 2023 media plan of the town and outlined their targets for the 2024 media plan at a city council session on Monday and a stakeholder breakfast on Tuesday. Pictured is BVK presenting a video at the Tuesday breakfast.
BVK seeks more info on habits of OC visitors Continued from Page 1 “We’re looking at how we can pull AI into the media plan as well, what that would look like and how we can start to tap into that, because we’ve seen that over a third of surveyed travelers are likely to consult AI as
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they’re planning their trip for the next 12 months,” BVK Vice President Niki Kaylor told the council. Victoria Simmons, BVK’s senior vice president of travel, also said the company is using several third-party data firms to learn about visitor
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habits. One such tool is Zartico, a dataanalysis company collects data from various sources, including Mira, a company that tracks geolocation data and spending. BVK has used Zartico to learn about the groups of people that could drive year-round visits, said Stephanie Barkow, senior vice president of brand strategy and research, at the Tuesday breakfast. Helixa, an “AI-powered” company that uses social media and other online sources to analyze target audiences for marketing campaigns, has helped BVK learn more about Ocean City’s main audience, the “East Coast beach vacationer.” This year, BVK is splitting that demographic into four subgroups that will each have marketing and advertising media targeted specifically toward them, including millennial moms, active and curious Gen-xers, action-oriented males and young connected females. Something new that BVK has
promised the city for 2024 are ad effectiveness and economic impact studies that will be generated by Smari, a market research firm, Barkow said. “This will help us to understand the return on investment of our marketing campaigns and also to understand how effective it is with our target audiences on increasing the perception of the destination the way that we want. We’ll be able to understand the role of incremental travel that the advertising drove, which will more deeply help us understand the impact of our campaign,” Barkow said at the council meeting. Kaylor noted that with people engaging less in television and radio, BVK will focus more on marketing the city through digital audio, or podcasting. Earned Media Account Director Callie Murphy said many travelers are now looking to social media influencers for direction on where and when to go on vacations. Murphy said that in See BVK Page 6
DECEMBER 15, 2023
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Ocean City Today
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733 BRADLEY ROAD • OCEAN CITY $3,200,000
121 81ST STREET UNIT 706 • OCEAN CITY $815,000 Stunning three-bedroom 3.5 bath condo at the Rivendell hits the market! This beautiful condo is being sold furnished and it's ready for your immediate enjoyment. You’ll be mesmerized by the waterfront views. You can actually watch both the sunrise and the sunset without ever leaving this condo. The kitchen is sure to delight the chef in your family with its granite countertops, custom cabinets and plenty of workspace. Off the kitchen is the family room and dining area where you will enjoy family meals and make memories that last a lifetime. The family room is great for entertaining and has a gas fireplace for chilly times in fall and winter. There’s also a wet bar for relaxing and having cocktails with friends. You can see the Ocean and Bay from the primary bedroom suite and the primary bath is luxurious with a tile Jacuzzi tub, shower and double vanities. The other two bedrooms are spacious as well and each have their own en suite bathroom. There is also a half bath off the family room. There’s a separate laundry room with washer and dryer and plenty of storage. Privacy is ensured with good separation between the primary bedroom and the other two bedrooms. There are large balconies where you can enjoy your morning coffee and a cold drink in the evening. The Rivendell has an indoor pool, outdoor pool and a fitness center, and the Hobbit restaurant is located in the building as well. This condo is located in Midtown on 81st St. and there is a traffic light at the intersection so crossing the street is very easy. There are plenty of stores, restaurants and shops in the area. There is a parking garage and secure access to the building. Come take a look today and make this beautiful property yours. This is a non-rental building so you will make friends and know your neighbors. MLS MDWO2017698 HERON HARBOUR ISLE HOME WITH BOAT SLIP
Luxury 5BR/6BA/2HBA Bayfront home with pool hits the market! This luxury home has 145 feet of water frontage with direct bay views and offers southern exposure. As you walk in the front door of this lovely home you will immediately fall in love with the attention to details and upgrades throughout. An elegant foyer with marble flooring greets you as you enter with your eyes drawn to the beautiful Bayfront views and the swimming pool in the courtyard. On the first level you will find a kitchen designed for access in and out to the pool area with plenty of seating and room for entertaining family and friends. Also on the first floor, you will find a Bay front office or playroom for the kids. This home is complete with a home elevator so either take the spiraling stairs to the second level or take the elevator up to the second level. You will be mesmerized by the amazing Bayfront views and endless sunsets this home offers. There are 6 decks off the home for privacy. On the second level you will find a professional chef’s kitchen complete with large center island, high end appliances and plenty of cabinet space adjoining a beautiful, spacious dining room overlooking the bay. The family room is also complete with a gas fireplace for chilly winter nights, making this the perfect home for year-round living or a vacation home. Also, on this floor, you will find a second office, home theater room, or game room. On the third level you will enjoy waking up to the endless water views from your primary bedroom. The primary bath has custom finishes throughout with extensive tile work. The primary bedroom also has a fireplace for romantic evenings and relaxing. Also on this floor are three additional bedrooms, which are spacious and separated nicely from the primary bedroom. This home is over 6000 ft.² and is one of the few Bayfront homes available on the market. So, if you’re looking for a home at the beach, also offering all the thrill of the day with attention to detail look no further. Come take a look at 733 Bradley Rd. today before it’s sold! MDWO2014714
This single-family 4BR/4.5BA home with deeded boat slip is located in the sought after community of Heron Harbour Isle. This beautiful home has an open floor plan with a spacious family room with a 2-story stone fireplace. The family room flows into the kitchen which has plenty of cabinet space, a center island, breakfast bar and additional storage. Off the kitchen is the dining area where you will love having meals with your family and friends. Off the family room and dining area there is a screened-in porch, perfect for relaxing and enjoying morning coffee. Off the screened304 S. HERON GULL COURT in porch is a deck with a barbecue grill for crab OCEAN CITY • $1,499,900 feasts and grilling your favorites. Also on the first level of this home is the spacious primary bedroom with walk-in closets and a large bathroom with shower and soaking tub. There’s also a study on the first floor making remote work possible in a nice quiet area. The first level also has another full bath, laundry room and a half bath. On the second level there are three additional bedrooms and two more full baths. This home has lots of room for everyone to visit and there’s also a bonus room over the garage which could be used as a fifth bedroom or game room. The home also has a wrap-around porch, two-car garage and a deeded boat slip. The seller belongs to the Heron Harbour recreation association, which has tennis courts, indoor heated pool, fitness center, sauna, Olympic size outdoor pool, and a kiddie pool. The home is located very close to restaurants, shopping, and the beach. Come take a look today. This home is being offered partially furnished and is ready for your immediate enjoyment. MDW02015676
OCEAN MID-TOWN CONDO OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY 2-4PM
OCEAN 2 BR/2BA CONDO OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY 11AM-1PM
Professional photos to follow: Come take a look at this spacious 1BR/1BA Ocean Block beauty! This one-bedroom unit is over 700 sq. ft. and is on the ocean block side of coastal highway. This is an elevated building so there's a very nice view from the large deck off the family room. This is your chance to own a slice of Ocean City 7704 COASTAL HWY #102 and make memories that will last a OCEAN CITY • $310,000 lifetime. As you walk in the front door, you’ll be welcomed by the beautiful dining area and kitchen. The family room flows off the kitchen and provides plenty of room for entertaining. There is a large balcony off the family room with access by a glass slider. The bedroom is very large and can accommodate two queen beds. There is one full bath as well. This condo located midtown Ocean City, close to plenty of restaurants, shops, and attractions. Come take a look today and own your slice of Ocean City. This building is professionally managed and has low condo fees. The condo is being sold fully furnished and is ready for your immediate enjoyment. MDWO2015968
Stunning 2BR/2BA condo one back from the beach hits the market! This condo is located on 66th street in an ocean block building. The sellers have made many recent upgrades, installing luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout, new microwave, new refrigerator, new stove, new dishwasher, new exterior HVAC unit, toilets and kitchen faucet within the last three years. The decks also were tiled in 2019 and the glass sliders leading to the deck were also replaced within the last five years. This would make a great second home or investment property and is being sold fully furnished and ready for your immediate enjoyment. 1 66TH ST UNIT 101 This is one of the best values at the beach - fully furnished OCEAN CITY • $499,900 and only one back from the ocean. As you walk through the front door, you will see an inviting living room for entertaining family and friends. There is a dining area off the kitchen with glass sliders leading to a huge covered deck with recently tiled floor. You can hear the waves break from the deck. This is a first floor unit but it's an elevated building so the height off the street is equivalent to a second floor unit. This condo has two large bedrooms and two full baths so there's plenty of room for family and friends. The condo is in walking distance to many restaurants, stores, shops and a supermarket, so once you're here you don’t have to move your car, but the condo is conveniently located to the route 90 bridge, making coming and going a joy. Come take a look today before this amazing property is sold. This condo association is well managed by Mann Properties. MLS MDWO2016172
RESIDENTIAL LOT
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WATERSIDE DRIVE BERLIN • $475,000 Are you looking to build your dream home? Look no further than this beautiful residential lot in the community of South Point Farms. This beautiful building lot is in a prime location on the corner with beautiful bay views. The lot is approximately 2.76 acres and it’s located off 611 in Berlin Maryland. At the entrance of South Point Farms is a public boat ramp and public pier with water access for boating fishing, crabbing, paddle boarding, and kayaking. If you are looking for a peaceful, tranquil location with unbelievable Bay views this is the prime spot. There are multiple world-class golf courses close by and Assateague National and State Park as well for days on the beach. No builder tie in required. Come take a look today and enjoy the good life on South Point Farms! MDWO2014122
34862 WEST LINE RD SELBYVILLE, DE • $2,500,000 Commercial Site in Prime Location hits the Market! 2.36 acres on the corner of RT 54 and W. Line Rd in Selbyville DE. This location is directly across from Yellowfins Restaurant and shopping center on heavily traveled Rt 54. The location is approximately 3-4 miles to the beaches of Ocean City & Fenwick Island. It has water and 8' sewer main that will supply a hotel, shopping center, office complex, medical center, professional center, etc. Lot is cleared. Buy it Now Before It's SOLD!!! Owner Financing is available. MLS DESU184528
32474 LIGHTHOUSE RD SELBYVILLE, DE • $4,500,000 Prime commercial location in Selbyville of 10.09 acres. This is a rare commercial development opportunity on the busy intersection of Lighthouse Sound Rd. (Route 54) and Hudson Rd. There are already many existing new homes surrounding this property and more than 3,200 additional homes are coming soon. This is the perfect location for a shopping center, multiple smaller retail businesses, and/or medical or other professional offices to serve these homes and the entire Selbyville, Bayside, Fenwick, Ocean City area. The Seller will finance up to 70% of the purchase price at 1 percent below the current prime lending rate for up to 5 years. The property is located 8 miles from the beach! DESU2044978
SINGLE FAMILY HOME
THIS HOME IS A SHOW-STOPPER!
4111 FIESTA ROAD • OCEAN CITY • $739,900
10615 POINT LOOKOUT ROAD • OCEAN CITY • $5,599,900 JUST REDUCED! $4,899,900
Stunning 4BR/3BA coastal home with garage in North Ocean City has just been listed! This home is located six blocks from the beach and across the street from Fiesta Park, which has walking trails and a pavilion. After walking through a gracious covered front porch, you are welcomed into this fabulous home. The first level of this beautiful home has two spacious bedrooms, one full bath and a den/study area perfect for working remotely from home. Beautiful hardwood floors lead to the second level where you will find a gourmet kitchen with granite countertops and stainless-steel appliances. There is a bright and airy dining room directly off the kitchen where you will enjoy making family meals and memories that last a lifetime. Adjoining the kitchen and dining room is a spacious family room with impressive cathedral ceilings. The second level also has the primary bedroom and the primary bath with shower and soaking tub. The second level also has a 12x16 composite deck with vinyl railings. On the third level you’ll find the fourth bedroom and another full bath. The fenced back and side yards have lots of grass for the dogs and kids to play. There is also a patio and grilling area. The home is being sold furnished and ready for your immediate enjoyment. The home also has a garage and multiple additional parking spaces and street parking. Come take a look at this very rare find before it’s sold! MDW02016242
Custom 6BR/6BA/3HBA/ new construction west facing bayfront estate designed and built by David Bradley of Bradley Construction w/ views of both Assawoman Bay and skyline from the property’s L-shaped pool and swim-up bar. Features exceptional craftsmanship w/astute attention to detail, custom finishes/woodwork, and architectural details. A welcoming orange crush bar made w/Port Rush quartz and 1st-floor Den/bedroom ensuite complete w/Murphy bed. Expansive family room has a wall of windows and glass sliders overlooking the bay. Gourmet chef's kitchen just off family room includes plenty of bar seating w/endless bay views. Kitchen boasts GE monogram ss appliances including 6-burner gas range, expansive center island, custom farm sink, w/vegetable sink, hone marble and quartz countertops. White custom Fabuwood cabinets w/undercounter lighting, appliance garages and custom pull outs for easy storage. Floating shelves in kitchen made w/reclaimed wood, and a designer tile backsplash. An expansive butler’s pantry, mud room w/custom shelving, laundry room, half bath on the main floor. White oak stairs, and custom-made glass elevator. 2nd floor spacious ensuite Bayfront bedrooms, each w/its own private balcony. A 4th ensuite bedroom which has been designed as a bunk room w/custom bunk and trundle bed complete w/a port hole. A coffee bar, refrigerator, and full-size laundry on 2nd floor. 3rd floor primary bedroom ensuite w/bay views, cathedral ceilings, turret cupola, coffee bar, fireplace, exquisite tile work, two enormous closets w/wood detailing and shiplap, and expansive covered porch. Primary bath has insulated tub w/jets and faces the bay w/a 6’x6’ circular Anderson window. Bonus room w/soaring ceilings and cupola; separate refrigerator, bar seating, a private deck, half bath, and laundry. A saltwater pool and spa, cabana area complete w/2 outdoor TVs, 2 refrigerators, custom cabinetry/countertops, fire pit area, permits for three lifts and a transient boat, a 50ft pier, dock and ramp. Parking for 6 cars. MLS MDWO2012190
THINKING OF BUYING OR SELLING? LET'S CONNECT TO BEGIN THE PROCESS TODAY! The property information herein is derived from various sources that may include, but not be limited to, county records and the Multiple Listing Service and it may include approximations. Although the information is believed to be accurate, it is not warranted and you should not rely upon it without personal verification. Real estate 2023 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Operated by agents affiliated with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage are independent contractor agents and are not employees of the Company. ©2015 a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Coldwell Banker, the Coldwell Banker logo, Coldwell Banker Previews International and the Previews logo are registered and unregistered service marks owned by Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. 10771BALT_07/15
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Ocean City Today
DECEMBER 15, 2023
June target dates OK’d for planned event Continued from Page 1 and other supporting activities, will be set up at the convention center. At Sunset Harbor, the wet pit area will offer boat ramp access, reserved trailer parking, support vessel staging and other prep activities. Other offshore powerboat racing events had taken place in Ocean City for years, but ran into logistical problems, and issues during covid. An Ocean City Grand Prix powerboat race set for last year was canceled. During Tuesday’s meeting, council members approved the target dates and recommended creation of the RWO event for approval from the Worcester County Commissioners for portions that will be in the county. Council members also approved development of a term sheet to be reviewed in January. Miller also gave council members an update on the air show, which is moving to Aug. 24 and 25. The show organizers announced last week that the date was moved from the second weekend in June to host Italian Air Force team Frecce Tricolori as the headliner. Miller said the team will fly a 10-jet formation. “This will be the most jets we’ve seen in a formation team in Ocean City,” he said.
PHOTOS COURTESY TOWN OF OCEAN CITY
A map shows the proposed viewing area from 14th to 18th streets for the RWO Powerboat Race planned for June in and around Ocean City.
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and U.S. Navy Blue Angels, which are usually the show headliners, only fly six-plane formations, Miller added. He also said that the only reason the Italian team, which has scheduled Ocean City for one of only six
shows in the United States, is coming stateside is to celebrate a 100th anniversary. The jets usually fly close to home and are present at most major air events. “When you see things happening in Europe, specifically Italy, and there are major events taking place, this team is there,” Miller said. He added, in response to questions about why the American teams could
not be booked in 2024, that Ocean City has been fortunate. “Most air shows do not get to have back-to-back jet teams,” Miller said. ”Most air shows are lucky to have a jet team maybe once every three years.” This will be the only year the show moves to August, when it will coexist with Jeep Fest, with plans to return to June in 2025.
BVK marketing considering AI
$279.95
Continued from Page 4 2024, they are planning to invite several influencers in the spring and several more in the fall to boost visitation in the resort’s shoulder seasons. BVK is also hoping to invite six journalists on trips with curated itineraries in order to get articles written about Ocean City, Murphy said. Forbes, AFAR and the Washingtonian are among the publications BVK intends to reach. “Where we actually find a ton of value is really welcoming journalists into the destination and having them experience it first-hand so they can share it with their audience,” Murphy said at the council meeting. Barkow also identified several facets of the resort’s identity that BVK plans to expand on or to highlight as it aims to push the kind of experience tourists are seeking and to distinguish Ocean City from competitors such as Virginia Beach and Myrtle Beach. Some of BVK’s focuses are emphasizing the city’s unique food, live music, and what Barkow called its accessible and approachable atmosphere. Travelers are looking for more au-
thentic local experiences, so BVK also wants to increase the city’s local storytelling and traditions by connecting more with local brands, Barkow said. Barkow said that many consumers are changing their definition of wellness travel to include more indulgent behaviors instead of restrictive ones. Framing the town as a “wellrounded” escape could be an opportunity to reach health-oriented travelers, and part of this effort could be embracing more of Ocean City’s outdoor recreation, she said. Barkow said BVK will continue to draw from Baltimore, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., as year-round tourist markets. She noted that families with children tend to spend more money in Ocean City during the summer, while people without children tend to spend more in the offseason. Nick Marrazza, group creative director at BVK, said he and BVK staff recently did a two-day photography shoot of seven to eight situations each day in order to capture more diverse Ocean City experiences. Many of the pictures and media will be used to update marketing with content to attract the now subdivided target audiences.
DECEMBER 15, 2023
Ocean City Today
FILE PHOTO/OCEAN CITY TODAY
On Thursday, a triad of state, county and school officials appealed to the Maryland Interagency Commission on School Construction to appeal for the funding of Buckingham Elementary School’s replacement. Pictured is the sign at the front entrance of BES.
IAC hears testimony about Buckingham project funding By Hunter Hine Staff Writer (Dec. 15, 2023) On Thursday morning, a triad of state, county and school officials presented arguments for funding a replacement of Buckingham Elementary School in Berlin to the state agency that previously denied the project any funding. At the meeting over Zoom, Superintendent of Worcester County Schools Lou Taylor, State Sen. Mary Beth Carozza (R-38) and Chip Bertino, president of the county commissioners, collectively had five minutes to testify to the Interagency Commission on School Construction, IAC, at the agency’s Fiscal Year 2025 Capital Improvement Program 75 percent Hearing. The meeting gives local education agencies a chance to address the IAC regarding requested funding for school building projects. “Buckingham Elementary is now a 45-year-old facility, which has never had a major renovation or addition,” Taylor said at the IAC meeting Thursday. “... Although the facility is in need of a replacement, as evident by our January 2023 feasibility study, as with every major project we undertake, this project is about the students.” Taylor told IAC officials that Buckingham is the largest Title I school in the county, meaning it is part of a federal aid program. The school also has a 42 percent minority-student population, and 60 percent of students there are eligible for free and reduced meals, Taylor said. “During the past 10 years, Worcester County has received .37 percent, or $14.8 million, of the $4 billion of state school construction funds dispersed state-wide,” Bertino said at the meeting.
Carozza told the IAC board that many of the players on the Stephen Decatur High School football team, who just won the state 2A championship, are graduates of Buckingham and serve in a special mentoring program at the elementary school. “That’s just the Worcester way,” Carozza said. At a public input meeting for the 2025 school budget, Taylor announced that the IAC gave the Buckingham project a “C” rating. According to facilities manager Joe Price, that means it is “deferred and not currently eligible for planning or funding approval pending IAC review or unresolved [local education agency] issues.” School officials appealed that grading in writing following the IAC’s announcement. “This was not an outright denial but offers WCPS an opportunity to appear before the IAC and verbally appeal the decision and advocate for State funding,” said Carrie Sterrs, coordinator of public relations and special programs at WCPS, in an email on Monday. Sterrs said school staff heard the recommendations on Dec. 5 as expected, and that the IAC releases these grades so local education agencies have time to send an appeal ahead of the Dec. 14 meeting. “The IAC’s 90 percent recommendations are scheduled to be released on March 1, 2024; however, prior correspondence with the IAC note that LEAs may receive information as early as mid-January,” Sterrs said. According to a notification from the IAC that WCPS received on Dec. 7, a “C” status usually means that an education agency hasn’t provided all the information about a project that See TAYLOR Page 8
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