I have a possible solution to the consolidation problem involving Beall and Westmar High School. While the pursuit of 3 equally sized high schools is a noble one that would yield a more equitable course offering to all high school students in Allegany County, it would seem more realistic to give each community what it values the most; a shorter bus ride for students living in the George‚s Creek/Westernport area, and two consolidated high schools with a greater course offering for the rest of the county. If Westmar is used as a middle school, using 2001 enrollment numbers, it would only operate at 52% capacity. This does not seem to make sense as Westmar High is the newest and most recently renovated high school in the County.
 
 I think it would make more sense for Westmar Middle to be consolidated into Westmar High School resulting in a high school serving grades 6-12. According to the 3D International audit, the state rated capacity of Westmar High is 711 students. Enrollment at both Westmar High and Middle in Fall 2001 was 448 and 368 respectively, totaling 816 students. Because the resulting enrollment would exceed the capacity of Westmar High, I propose reassigning roughly a hundred students living north of Lonaconing to Beall High School rather than enlarging Westmar High because enrollment is projected to drop in the future at that school. While one caveat about this proposal is that the number of courses available at Westmar would probably not increase, and possibly even decrease, this would retain a local 6-12 high school in the George‚s Creek-Westernport area and the school would run more efficiently as there is no reason why a teacher cannot teach both Middle and High School students. In addition, reassigning a small portion of students from Westmar to Beall High would not be as bad as a full consolidation and make better use of Westmar High.
 
 The remaining students in the county could be split between Fort Hill and a new school to replace both Beall and Allegany. This would make sense because both of these schools are in very poor condition and the Board proposes nothing in the near future to address the condition of Allegany High School. Fort Hill could also be enlarged being the main school for Cumberland students so it has an enrollment similar to the new high school.
 
 
 Albert Keener
 Cumberland, MD
 
 3/28/03