January 10, 2014 By TRAVIS BROWN Bond Authorized For New School The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch Page 19 STAFF WRITER SNOW HILL – Worcester County has officially gone to the bond market for partial financing of Snow Hill High School (SHHS). The County Commissioners voted to borrow $45 million in general obligation bonds this week. That will be used to fund the lion’s share of SHHS renovations with the remaining money coming from the state. The total projected cost for the renovations is about $50 million. During the public hearing, prior to the bond authorization, some familiar complaints about the cost of the design of the school resurfaced. Resident Ellie Diegelmann made similar complaints this week and wondered why aspects of the design couldn’t be cut to reduce costs. The county has little leeway in much of the design features, according to Commissioner Virgil Shockley. “There’s no choice in this,” he told Diegelmann. “The state dictates what you’re going to build and how you’re going to build it, plain and simple.” If the county didn’t follow the state outline, then it wouldn’t receive any state funding. That might not be the worst thing in Diegelmann’s opinion. “I liken it to a situation with store coupons,” she said. Coupons, like state funding, can be useful, she continued, but if you’re being asked to buy much more than you need to even use the coupon it might be better to pay the full cost on just the items that you do require. Commissioner Jim Bunting agreed. “I would love for the Board of Education to say, ‘We’re not going to take any of your money. We’re going to build this school ourselves,’” said Bunting, referring to the state. “We could save millions. I’ve been saying that for three years.” Such a scenario would be unlikely, however. While the County Commission is responsible for finding funding for school renovations, it’s the Board of Education that plays the biggest part in putting a design together. The board is not inclined to drop features to come in under state guidelines to save money, said County Attorney Sonny Bloxom. “Try to convince the Board of Education to build a school without following the state’s regs then come back to us and see how successful you were,” he told Diegelmann. The commission voted unanimously in favor of the bond authorization. It was a big moment for Shockley, who has been the most vocal about the need for a new SHHS. “Commission President, Bud, may I? I’ve waited 15 years to do this. I’d like to make a motion,” he said. ATLANTIC PHYSICAL THERAPY SALISBURY LOCATION NOW OPEN!!! 410-208-3630 37031 Old Mill Bridge Road, Unit 2 Sally Hawkins OTR, CHT, CLT Certified Hand Specialist The Most Innovative & Complete Physical Therapy Clinic on Delmarva EARLY MORNING & EVENING APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE Ocean Pines Business of the Year Robert Hammond Coming Soon FENWICK ISLAND LOCATION! Charles Curran Physical Therapist 1406 South Salisbury Blvd., Unit B • Salisbury, MD 21801 Robert P. Hammond III, DPT Doctor Of Physical Therapy Gwyn Benny - PT, MHS,c Come for a tour before scheduling anywhere else “We Keep the Care in Healthcare” Serving the Community Since 1998 OFFERING PHYSICAL, OCCUPATIONAL & AQUATIC THERAPY Make Atlantic Physical Therapy Your Choice ALWAYS ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS Guaranteed Appointment Within 24 Hours! Mallory Black - PTA Lyndsey Russell - PTA Ocean Pines Plaza • 11070 Cathell Road • Berlin, MD 21811 www.AtlanticPTRehab.com