Frequently Asked Questions

What is in the currently approved capital plan?
 The school system will continue its program to modernize our inventory of facilities; however, three new elementary schools have been included in the six-year capital plan. These new elementary schools will assist with meeting capacity needs for the next six to nine years.  In addition to a growing elementary school population, the school system must meet federal requirements for offering Prekindergarten and full day Kindergarten as identified in the St. Mary’s County Public Schools Bridge To Excellence Master Plan. As the elementary school enrollment continues to increase, additional capacity at the secondary level will be required in the ten-year time frame. To meet these needs, the school system has included a new middle school facility within the capital improvements program. The enrollment at the secondary level will have to be monitored closely over the next several years to ensure that the facilities are opened to meet the peak enrollment levels. In the interim, facility plans will continue to rely on relocatable classrooms to accommodate growth until completion of scheduled capital improvements projects occurs.

For more information: Educational Facilities Master Plan

How did we get the need for so many schools so quick?
Based on enrollment projections, the current capital improvements program includes three new elementary schools and a new middle school.  The inclusion of projects in the capital improvements program is a fluid process dependent on capacity needs, with projects being adjusted based on enrollment as well as the implementation of state programs and initiatives.  For example, the recent implementation of full day kindergarten and the lowering of state rated capacity generated the need for an additional two elementary schools.  The current capital improvements program addresses capacity needs through FY 2020.

What is the difference in state rated and local capacity?
The difference between the state and local rated capacity occurs in the staffing levels.  In July 2005, the state capacity per classroom type was lowered to accommodate lower class sizes in support of education.  This change narrowed the gap between the local rated capacity, which the school system utilized for staffing.

Grade Level

State Class Size

Local Class Size

PreKindergarten

20

20

Kindergarten

22

20

Grades 1 – 2

23

21

Grades 3 – 5

23

23

Special Education

10

8

For more information:  Elementary and Secondary Overview

 

Do we incorporate developments into our enrollment projections?
 The method used to produce the enrollment projections for the school system is based on the "Grade Succession and Survival Ratio" techniques. This technique involves the use of live births and current enrollment to develop certain ratios. These ratios, which automatically include a number of factors, such as migrations, private and public enrollment relationships, etc., are then applied to predict future enrollments.  However, the school system utilizes a complex geographic information system that incorporates student demographic data, housing trends and growth patterns.  This information, such as new developments, is utilized to improve the individual school enrollment projections.  For the 2007 - 2008 school year the enrollment projection was 99.89% accurate, with an overall difference of 19 students over the projection.

For more information: Demographic and Data Trends

What is the difference in FTE and Headcount enrollment?
The Full Time Equivalent (FTE) enrollment is based on the fact that PreKindergarten students attend half-day sessions.  In addition, during the implementation of full day Kindergarten, some students still attend half day sessions.  As we continue with the full day Kindergarten implementation the difference between the FTE and headcount enrollment is decreasing. The headcount enrollment is the total number of students, both full time and half time (PreK and K) students registered in the system.

 

What is the student yield for development?
The student yield utilized by the county government for approving subdivisions is reviewed annually by the Board of County Commissioners as part of the Impact Fee Review.  This yield is derived by analyzing building permits and student population and is reflective of the fact that not all homes will have students.  The currently approved yield is:

  Grade Level
  Yield       
  Elementary            
  .215
  Middle
  .107
  High
  .154
  Total
  .476


Who determines the adequacy of schools?
The Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance is part of the St. Mary's County Comprehensive Land Use Plan and is governed by the Board of County Commissioners for St. Mary's County.  The determination of whether there is adequate school seats available for a development to be approved is made by the Director of Land Use & Growth Management for the county.  Under the ordinance, the school system must supply the Director of Land Use & Growth Management with the official September 30th enrollment and approved state rated capacities for each of the school systems facilities each fall.