Montgomery County Public Schools are asking the state to reconsider the $24 million its willing to pay for construction projects because it’s $160.5 million short of what the cash-strapped school system says it should have gotten.
Now, school officials are appealing, hoping the state will give them at least $40 million, the amount the county had expected Maryland to contribute to the schools’ fiscal 2013 Capital Improvement Program. If the state can’t close the funding gap, the county could either pull funds away from other areas of its budget or cancel some school construction projects.
“They have to make a decision as to whether there are other sources of funding, or [project] reductions are going to have to be made,” said Larry Bowers, chief operating officer of the school system.
MCPS requested $184.5 million from the state for 71 construction projects, ranging from roof repairs and renovations to classroom additions and new schools. The county has already committed to funding most of these projects, and the majority are underway.
Kim Spivey, manager of the state’s public schools construction program, said that Montgomery’s funding request was the largest in the state, and Montgomery received the largest funding allocation as well.
The state has $250 million to distribute among its localities but state law allows only 75 percent of that sum to be offered initially. It’s likely that Montgomery will receive more than $24 million by the time Maryland distributes the rest of the $250 million in May.
Prince George’s County Public Schools also received less than they wanted: $22.9 million instead of $57.7 million. A schools spokesman said the county also would appeal.
It’s typical for MCPS and other districts to receive less than they request, but more than the state’s offers initially. Last year the schools asked for $163.5 million and ultimately received $33 million, which Bowers said was more than the state initially gave them, although he could not recall the exact amount.
If the state doesn’t fund Montgomery’s school construction projects at the expected $40 million, the county could be in a tough spot.
Montgomery County Council Chairman Roger Berliner said he supported increased county funding of these projects, especially in light of the state’s relatively small offer. “This development may influence my colleagues with respect to what our ultimate figure is going to be,” he said.
County Executive Ike Leggett has been assertive in cutting capital improvement dollars given that the county faces a $135 million shortfall in fiscal 2013 — and that’s assuming no pay raises for employees.
“The likelihood that you would see increases in there is highly, highly unlikely,” Leggett said.
Staff Writer Rachel Baye contributed reporting.
