It looks like funding for MCPS school construction is set to increase. Earlier today, County Executive Ike Leggett released his recommendations for Montgomery County’s new Capital Improvements Program, which pays for new roads, technology, public buildings, and other infrastructure. Wanting to continue “maintaining the current MCPS infrastructure as a priority,” Leggett endorsed a funding level of $1.72 billion to build and maintain new schools and acquire new classroom technology. This represents a significant increase, although the amount is still slightly short of the $1.74 billion in funding that the Board of Education requested at the end of 2013.
Despite the increases in local funding, much of Leggett’s recommendation relies on an assumption that the state will contribute several hundred million dollars for MCPS school improvements as well. It remains to be seen whether the state government will be able to meet county leaders’ expectations.
Chart from the Montgomery County Office of Management and Budget