Welcome to the Facility Services section of the Wicomico County Board of Education website. As part of the Administrative Services Group, the Department of Facility Services supports the educational program by providing expertise and services in most building related operations and activities for the Wicomico Public School System.
The purpose of this project is to improve communications and understanding among all of our stake holders by providing information on our schools and our department. On this site we will attempt to provide current news about us and what we do. We will also try and provide school facility data and other information regarding our mission, our organization, our people, our projects and the many programs and services we provide.
Please feel free to look around. Remember that this project is "Under Construction" so bear with us as we continue our development.
Thank you for visiting our site and please feel free to contact us about suggestions or comments that could improve our site.
The Facility Services Department of the Wicomico County Board of Education is comprised of five integrated divisions. Each of these divisions consists of functional teams comprised of numerous individuals who posses the specialized knowledge and skills suited to the duties they perform. The divisions are as follows:
Overall the department is directly responsible to manage, direct, coordinate, maintain and administer all facility related operations and/or related activities for the Wicomico County Board of Education. The divisions of Planning & Design, Construction, Maintenance, Operations, and Tech Services provide specialized support in these service disciplines in accordance with the overall Strategic Master Plan of the Wicomico County Board of Education. To that end Facility Services is dedicated to provide the best, cost effective and efficient operation possible in order to provide adequate facilities, building systems, equipment, grounds and network infrastructure for the students, staff and personnel of the Wicomico Public School System.
The scope of our service area currently includes, but is not limited to, the following facility assets:
24 school facilities
1 Early Learning Center
1 Evening High School
1 Alternative Learning Center
1 Adult Basic Education Center (leased)
1 Infants and Toddlers Program (leased)
1 Center for Technology Education
73 portable classrooms
1 Central Office & Annex complex
3 major school auditoriums
1 Temporary "Swing" School
1 Historic Single Room School House
1 County wide stadium complex
1 Print Shop / Mail Service Center
1 Supply/service warehouse
1 Site and grounds shop
1 Maintenance shop
These locations total approximately 2.1 million gross square feet on roughly 522 acres, under 44.5 acres of roof.
These facilities all play an important role in our school system. They represent enormous investments by the community; both in the bricks and mortar they represent but also in the future generations that these buildings must serve. It is through the careful stewardship of these investments that we can achieve efficiency in our operations, improvements in there performance and increased levels of user satisfaction.
School System Profile : 2007-2008 School Year
Board of Education
The Wicomico County public school system, established in 1867, is headed by a seven-member Board of Education, appointed by the Governor of Maryland. A student representative serves in an advisory capacity. Board members are prominent citizens from academia, business, and community organizations. The Board meets monthly in open, public meetings, to make policy decisions for the school system. The Superintendent of Schools is the chief executive officer of the school system and implements the Board’s policies. The mission of the Wicomico County public school system, as approved by the Board, is to provide all students an educational foundation and a set of skills, which will enable them to become responsible and productive citizens in our society. The website, www.wcboe.org, provides information to the public about the school system.
Student Population
Total student enrollment in Wicomico County public schools is 14,186 as of October 15, 2007. Male students comprise 51% of the student population, females, 49%. Racial/ethnic demographics of students are: White students, 55.4%; African American, 36.9%; Hispanic, 4.4%; Asian, 3.1%; and American Indian, 0.15%. English Language Learners comprise 1.9% of the student population and speak a total of 18 different languages. As of October 31, 2006, 45.58% of students were eligible for free and/or reduced-price meals (FARM) as measured by federal guidelines. Students with disabilities comprise 12% of the Wicomico County school population. Educational services for these students are provided in the least restrictive environment.
Educational Programs
Wicomico County has twenty-five (25) public schools, serving Grades pre-K to 12, including sixteen elementary schools, one elementary/middle school, three middle schools, one middle/high school, three high schools, and an evening high school.
Elementary Schools
Wicomico County provides public pre-kindergarten education at 12 sites throughout the county, serving 542 students. Current Kindergarten enrollment is 1,123, with all 12 sites providing a full-day program. Eleven of the sixteen elementary schools are Title I schools, serving high proportions of students from low-income families and receiving supplemental educational services.
Middle Schools
The 2,834 students in sixth, seventh and eighth grades attend one of Wicomico County’s five middle schools which encourage cooperation rather than competition.
High Schools
Wicomico County’s high school student population totals 4,090 in grades 9 through 12 in four high schools. Wicomico County Schools offer Career and Technology Education (CTE) programs in 20 different technical areas at Parkside High School. Enrollment is open to any high school student in the county. A Visual and Performing Arts program is conducted at Wicomico High School for students selected on a competitive basis. An evening high school offers semester courses to prepare area residents to earn a Maryland high school diploma.
Summer School
Summer school is offered for credit in selected subjects to middle and high school students who have failed a subject or done poorly during the regular school year. Elementary school students who need remedial reading and math instruction are invited to attend free summer school.
Special Programs and Services Food Service and Transportation
The Wicomico County school system provides a comprehensive food service program in each school. Free or reduced-price meals are available to children qualifying under federal government guidelines. Bus transportation to and from school is provided to approximately 90% of all county students. All elementary students living more than one mile from school and secondary students living more than one and one-half miles from school are eligible for transportation.
Wicomico Mentoring Project
The Wicomico Mentoring Project is a community-wide effort involving the business, agency and civic communities in the nurturing of our youth. These partners provide adult role models as mentors who encourage the academic, social and emotional development of the student. Mentors meet with students on school property, during school hours, for an hour per week during the school year.
Gifted and Talented Programs
Gifted and Talented programs begin at third grade and offerings continue through high school.
Wicomico Early LearningCenter (WELC)
WELC houses the Judy Hoyer Center Partnership program which serves infants and toddlers with disabilities and pre-K and kindergarten students (with and without disabilities). A Head Start class is also located at WELC. Services are provided to the Beaver Run and Pemberton areas.
CHOICES
CHOICES provides a short-term alternative educational program placement for students whose behavior has shown they are unable or unwilling to function in a regular classroom situation.
Professional and Support Staff
Wicomico County employs approximately 1,200 teachers whose average tenure is fifteen years. Approximately 80% have master’s degrees, equivalencies or doctorates. Each school has a nurse. School district personnel serve in many capacities, such as school principals and assistant principals; classroom teachers; professional development coaches; guidance counselors; resource teachers; school psychologists; occupational, speech, and physical therapists; and teachers for special education students, English Language Learners, and gifted and talented students. Finance, human resource, and technology departments are staffed with professionals in their respective fields. A support staff of instructional assistants, custodians, cafeteria workers and secretaries help to keep the schools running smoothly and promote educational achievement.
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES MASTER PLAN FY 2007 - 08
These documents area major sections from the recently updated and adopted Facilities Master Plan. The Facility Needs Report is most informative and helpful in gaining an insigt into the issues and challenges impacting our school facilities.
