Kent Commissioners Question Cost of New Middle School as Enrollment Declines for Another Year

Likely 10% Tax Hike to Cover $30 Million Bond

Proposed Middle School site in Worton

Kent County faces a steep property tax hike to pay its share of a proposed $64 million middle school while enrollment dwindles for yet another year—unless the Kent County Commissioners and the school board can devise a compromise that avoids the need to borrow $30 million.

A meeting of the commissioners and school board on Tuesday yielded no decision on a path forward to begin construction on a plan that’s been studied for several years.

The commissioners are hesitant over concerns about the debt service of a $30 million bond when faced with the additional cost of the Kirwan Blueprint, a mandate passed by the state legislature in 2021 to transform public education in Maryland.

Kent's share of the Kirwan mandate comes to $8 million through 2030, while its share for a new middle school comes to $30 million. The state would pickup the rest.

Debt service on the bond would cost $2 million annually and require a property tax hike of around 10 cents per $100 of assessed value.

Kent County Commissioner Ron Fithian said it is difficult to afford both. Commissioner John Price agreed.

The sticker shock is exacerbated by an unabated decline in enrollment over the last 20 years — and eight years out from a consolidation that shrunk five elementary schools to three in 2017 to close a $2 million shortfall and adjust for a future decline in enrollment. Worton and Millington elementary schools were shuttered.

From 2005 to 2025, the county had a modest decline in total population of 2 percent, from 19,695 to 19,303, but student enrollment plummeted by 35 percent, from 2,440 to 1,586 going into fiscal 2026.

Declining enrollment always comes with a reduction in the state's contribution to school systems. Funding is based on school population.

Kent’s small decline in overall population reveals a substantial demographic shift to an older population, with Kent having the third highest average age in Maryland. The older population here is expected to grow as younger people leave and more retirees settle in the county.

Only 8 percent of Kent's population is enrolled in public school, the lowest in the state and that number is expected to shrink even more, at least through 2029.

Kent lost 224 students from 2020 to 2025, accounting for lost revenue of another $2 million. The Maryland Department of Planning projects Kent County will lose another 40 students through 2029. Middle school enrollment has slid again this year from 382 students to 365 headed into fiscal 2026.

At the close of fiscal 2025 the school system was forced to terminate 44 teachers and staff to fill a $1.8 million shortfall in fiscal 2026, when enrollment is forecast at 1,586 students.

Fithian suggested an alternative plan that calls for a redevelopment of Worton Elementary, which was closed in 2017 as part of a consolidation plan. Worton Elementary and Kent County High School would absorb one or two of the grades. The High School was originally built to educate 1,500 students, but enrollment there is less than 500 going into the 2025-2026 school year.

Fithian said using the current assets would also save the state $30 million for its share of a new middle school.

The commissioners voted Tuesday night to replace the roof at Worton Elementary at a cost of $1-2 million.