Interim Superintendent Mamie J. Perkins today recommended a $192.1 million FY2015 capital budget to the Board of Education that funds comprehensive renovation projects at 13 schools and is $48 million less than the request approved by the Board a year ago.
More than 65 percent of the request, which will be discussed and voted on by the Board following a public hearing at its September 25, 2013, meeting, is made up of 13 school-specific projects. In priority order, they are:
● Annapolis Elementary revitalization, $3.3 million
● Lothian Elementary replacement, $7.8 million
● Crofton Elementary revitalization, $3.5 million
● Mills-Parole Elementary revitalization, $3.6 million
● Rolling Knolls Elementary replacement, $18.1 million
● Benfield Elementary revitalization, $14.5 million
● West Annapolis Elementary modernization, $12.5 million
● Severna Park High replacement, $50 million
● Manor View Elementary feasibility study/design, $2.4 million
● High Point Elementary feasibility study/design, $3.1 million
● George Cromwell Elementary design, $2.1 million
● Jessup Elementary design, $2.6 million
● Arnold Elementary design, $2.6 million
The recommendation also includes $10 million to continue building full-day kindergarten and prekindergarten additions and $9 million for ongoing open space classroom enclosures.
Ms. Perkins also presented the Board with a six-year Capital Improvement Plan which allocates anticipated funding to projects through FY2020.
After approval by the Board, the plan will be submitted to the State of Maryland for funding consideration. The plan will also be part of the school system’s overall FY2015 budget request, to be forwarded to the County Executive in February 2014 after the Board holds public hearings. The County Council will review that plan and adopt a final capital budget for the school system in June 2014.
The FY2014 budget adopted by the County Council is $137 million.