Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich (D) recommended offering the county school system a record amount of funding for building improvements and new facilities during a presentation Thursday.
The request is still about $500 million short of the school system’s request, but it is $400 million more than the school system received in the previous capital improvement plan.
In October, School Superintendent Thomas Taylor requested $2.7 billion — about $1 billion more than it received before — stating that the school system has historically underinvested in key projects such as HVAC systems and other needs.
Taylor’s proposal sought to replace the school system’s headquarters, Carver Educational Services Center in Rockville, and it would also close Silver Spring International Middle School.
Montgomery County Public Schools is the largest school system in Maryland. It has about 156,000 students and 238 buildings.
Elrich said he was initially surprised when he heard the school system’s request, but added that it is a symptom of the system publicly underselling its needs and not fighting for its budget.
“This is an issue that’s been brewing for more than a decade — much more than a decade,” Elrich said to county government officials and reporters. “I appreciate the fact that somebody said what you need to do. That’s a breath of fresh air.”
Capital improvement plans outline major infrastructure projects and span six years. Elrich’s proposal would begin during fiscal 2027, which starts on July 1 of this year, and run until fiscal 2032. In total, it is a $6.6 billion recommendation. About 35 percent of the budget goes toward transportation, and another 23 percent toward other county buildings.
The largest portion of Elrich’s recommendation focuses on education, offering about 40 percent of funding toward the county’s public school system and college. To foot the bill, Elrich is recommending the county increase its spending affordability guidelines, which are currently capped at about $300 million per year. He suggested the county council instead start by increasing the cap to $340 million this coming fiscal year and adding another $10 million each year over the next five years.
Elrich’s proposal doesn’t bake in funds for the headquarters replacement. He added that he did not support closing the middle school — a facility that was built in 1934. In recent years, students at the school have shared anecdotes of falling ceiling tiles and sweltering classrooms — particularly on the highest level of the school. But middle school parents say they oppose Taylor’s proposal.
Under Elrich’s recommendation, the county would also fund libraries in Shady Grove and Clarksburg; a White Flint fire station; and an arts and cultural center in Wheaton.
Elrich’s proposal now heads to the county council for review. Council President Natali Fani-González said in a statement Thursday that she appreciated the county executive and his staff.
“We must balance investments in capital projects to support our schools, housing, economic development, public safety and transportation,” she said. “And we must do this with fiscal prudence and sustainability as our north star.”
The council’s public hearings on the capital budget are scheduled at 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on both Feb. 9 and Feb. 10. The council will approve a budget by the end of May.
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