Montgomery County schools might have far less than expected for projects in the coming year if Gov. Martin O’Malley’s first round of offerings, released along with his state budget proposals, holds up.
On Wednesday O’Malley laidout 75 percent of the funds that will be available for school construction projects statewide. Of that $334 million, Montgomery County received $20.3 million.
The funding was enough for some major projects such as those at College Gardens, Wayside and Fields Road elementary schools. To meet their projections, though, Montgomery County officials are counting on $35 million more as the budget process continues.
But with only $108 million remaining for 24 counties statewide, that may be a tall order.
Brian Edwards, spokesman for Superintendent Jerry Weast, said based on conversations between O’Malley and Montgomery County Executive Isaiah Leggett, the county went into the budget cycle expecting around $55 million for school projects.
Officials said they never expected the full $132.8 million they initially requested, but were content with the notion of $55 million.
According to Christine Hansen, spokeswoman for O’Malley, Montgomery County received more money in this round than any other county. The remaining funds, according to state law, will be disbursed on Jan. 30 through a process state officials call a “beg-a-thon” before the state’s Board of Public Works. Counties make a case for their needs and the board allocates accordingly.
With stringent spending measures already in place at the local level, Montgomery County officials are relying on a lobbying blitz at the state level to secure funding for critical programs.
“We have enough work in Annapolis to do in addition to our day jobs,” said Patrick Lacefield, spokesman for Leggett.
He emphasized the county’s uphill battle in convincing state lawmakers that Montgomery County, assumed by some to be uniformly wealthy, is still in need of state funds.
“Many people don’t know that a little under 25 percent of our students are on free and reduced lunch, and we have more than half of Maryland’s [English as a second or other language] students,” Lacefield said.
