Montgomery County would get an extra $5.8 million from Annapolis next year for school construction under a new plan announced Friday.
House Speaker Michael Busch announced lawmakers have found $20 million in construction funds that would be split by the state’s five high-growth school districts. The money came from trimming Gov. Larry Hogan’s proposed capital budget and would not require additional funding.
The $20 million would be split annually among counties that have an enrollment of greater than 150 percent of the statewide average, or an average of more than 300 portable classrooms over the past five years.
County Executive Isiah Leggett praised the proposal, which also got approval from two legislative committees on Friday.
“I want to thank Speaker Michael Busch and the members of our Delegation who made bringing home additional funds to help us address our public school construction issues their number one priority,” Leggett said in a statement. “Passing this legislation shows a commitment to working with Montgomery County to address the ongoing challenges of capacity problems in our public schools.”
State legislators from Montgomery County cautioned that the school system’s ask for $223 million in school construction bonds from the state would be difficult to make happen.
The proposal outlined Friday is more in line with Leggett and the county delegation’s strategy during last year’s General Assembly, in which they proposed $20 million in state construction funding a year to the “big three” counties of Montgomery, Prince George’s and Baltimore.
Montgomery County, growing at a rate of about 2,500 students a year, would be in line for $5.8 million, the largest chunk of money for FY 2016.
Prince George’s ($4.8 million), Baltimore ($4.2 million), Anne Arundel ($3 million) and Howard ($2 million) would also benefit from the measure.
The legislation for the funding was sponsored in the House by Ways and Means Chairman Sheila Hixson (District 20) and in the Senate by Nancy King (District 39).
“It is imperative that we provide healthy learning environments for all of our public school students. Jurisdictions that attract more students shouldn’t be disadvantaged in meeting that goal,” King said in a press release.
Busch admitted the move came a year earlier than expected.
“I am proud of the work of the Appropriations Committee in not only passing this important legislation, but also finding funding a year earlier than expected,” Busch said in a statement. “I commend the delegation members who advocate tirelessly for their public school systems. Legislators from these five counties have consistently advocated for the public school children of their districts and have worked with other counties to make modern school facilities a reality in their jurisdictions.”
