During today’s retreat at the Starkey Building in La Plata with the Charles County Commissioners and the Charles County Board of Education (BoE), Superintendent Richmond and Assistant Superintendent Wineland unveiled further details of the administration’s vision for the new high school which includes a 180 seat digital domed IMAX theater with individual touch response pads built-in.  The idea is that the theater will be multi-functional; available for use by the whole community including the students, government, college and businesses.

 

Photos by A. Dailey for TheBayNet.com.

The new school will also include a state of the art visual center, teaching labs and a planetarium similar to Clark Planetarium.  When board member Jennifer Abell asked about the arts, Mr. Richmond explained that the school will be a state of the art science, technology, and fine and performing arts school.  It will occupy a section of land in the area of Piney Church Road; the same general area where the new sports & entertainment stadium may eventually exist. 

The cost of the school was estimated to be just over $102 million dollars of which the state will pay for $42,330,000 and the county will pay the remaining $59,681,000.  Assistant Superintendent for Supporting Services, Chuck Wineland told the commissioners that the school is scheduled to open in 2011 and will be the only new high school the county should need until 2027.

According to Mr. Richmond the State Superintendent, Dr. Nancy Grasmick and the Southern Maryland Delegation and Governor are already in support of the school and all that remains is to obtain the support of the commissioners, the board of education and acquiring the necessary funding.  The Board of Commissioners had already heard partial details of this project at previous discussions of BoE projects during the Commissioners’ budget work session on February 6th of this year, but had refrained from any funding decisions until after they had discussed the entire list of school projects directly with the BoE at this week’s retreat between the two agencies. 

During a recent interview with The Bay Net, Assistant Superintendent Wineland explained the administration’s philosophy when it comes to planning and building schools.  It’s all about potential, an adaptable environment capable of integrating new technology and ideas about teaching/learning.  Wineland and Richmond firmly believe that schools should be built in ways that allow teachers the freedom to create a learning environment customised to their needs and styles as well as those of their students. 

Each new school the County builds is intended to raise the bar of expectations for educational opportunities.  “Most schools are 5-10 years behind in their technology,” Wineland told The Bay Net.  “Building contracts are typically awarded three years in advance,” he continued, so this administration holds the technology portion of the contract out of bidding until the last possible minute to secure the most current technology possible. 

The BoE built North P