(9/15) While an increase in the number of residents in Emmitsburg would contribute to the tax base and local business income, it may come at a cost as well.

Emmitsburg Elementary, as it presently exists, may not be able to handle any significant increase in the student body generated by increased residential units, according to one town commissioners.

Commissioner Burns said, during the September Town Council’s meeting that interests in resuming formerly-stalled developments, such as Ryan Homes and Emmit Ridge, or the introductions of any new residential developments, bring with it “the possibility for more families with children moving into the area.”

Burns stated that, in his opinion, “If we do start seeing enrollment numbers going up that school is definitely going to need improvement to handle what we hope to see as an influx of families coming into the area … we're going to have to put some pressure on Frederick County to hopefully improve that school so that our students in our community can have somewhere they can go, and that they're not being forced to go down to Thurmont.”

He suggested that having to combine classes to handle an increased student body in classrooms that are outdated, and trailers that “have not been updated probably in years” could lead to capacity issues ... which could result in local students being diverted to a school where student capacity exists.

The commissioner said that the town should do whatever it needs to do so that the new families moving in, whether it be Emmit Ridge or Ryan Homes, that the parents can be assured their children can be an provided an opportunity to attend the Emmitsburg Elementary School.

The town needs to start addressing the possibility that an expansion of the school is likely, Burns stated, and that this issue be brought before the county, including “showing face at these county meetings so that we can start getting more exposure for the (impending needs of the) school … to show representation down there so that we can start fighting for our students and our community.”