The Howard County Public School System, not dissuaded by previously underfunded capital budgets, is seeking millions mainly for renovation and modernization projects in the upcoming year.
Howard Superintendent Sydney Cousin recently unveiled an ambitious $125.3 million capital budget proposal for fiscal 2010.
His request is nearly $45 million more than the $80.5 million budget approved for fiscal 2009. The Howard Board of Education originally asked for $113.8 million this past year.
“Quite honestly, I don’t think we’ll get the full amount, just like we didn’t get the full amount last year,” said board Vice Chairwoman Ellen Flynn Giles. “But I think that we have to put forth a budget of what we need and feel needs to be funded.”
The budget is largely dependent on construction funding provided by the state. In fiscal 2009, the state provided $333 million for school construction for all Maryland districts — Howard received $18 million.
“We’re generally supportive of the whole request,” said John Hannay, president of the PTA Council of Howard County. “We don’t get into picking one thing over the other.”
Cousin’s request is highlighted by money for renovations, particularly the funding needed to complete renovations at Mount Hebron High School in Ellicott City.
Another major project is a new maintenance and warehouse facility, a project requested in fiscal 2009 but not funded.
Cousin said the school system was moving away from building new schools.
“It’s the right thing to do because the state doesn’t approve new seats unless you have the bodies,” Giles said.
Howard has not seen the same level of growth as in previous years, she added.
The county could be 10 years away from building a new school, Giles said, but it will eventually be needed with redevelopment along Routes 1 and 40.
The county’s school buildings are structurally sound, but the school system must continue to guarantee they’re adequate for meeting the educational programming needs of students, she added.
“We need to work together as a community to find solutions so we have a steady, adequate funding source for all the improvements we need to make,” Hannay said.
The budget adoption process is lengthy and involves review from county and state officials and public hearings. The board’s budget request is expected to be submitted to the county executive in March.
AT A GLANCE
Highlights of the 2010 capital budget proposal, with project name and total funding requested:
Mount Hebron High School renovation: $27 million
New maintenance and warehouse facility: $12.1 million
Old Cedar Lane School addition and renovation: $18.2 million
Northfield Elementary School renovation and addition: $13.6 million
Source: Howard County Public School System
