Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith said Monday that he hopes his relationship with Gov.-elect Martin O?Malley will yield financial perks to boost what he called the No. 1 priority of his second and final term: school construction.

The county will begin systematic renovations of its high schools this year, in part with $72 million approved in bond referendum during November?s election, Smith said. The county had to supplement $35 million in state funds with $107 million in county funds to complete middle school repairs this year.