Board President Sends Letter Urging Governor Hogan’s Continued Support of Capital Funding

The Honorable Lawrence J. Hogan, Jr.
Governor of Maryland
100 State Circle
Annapolis, Maryland 21401-1925

Dear Governor Hogan:

As President of the Montgomery County Board of Education, and former President of the Maryland Association of Boards of Education, I write to you in response to concerns you raised at the November 4, 2015, Board of Public Works meeting about school construction. I know that the state has faced challenging economic times and appreciate the State of Maryland continuing to make education its top priority. We appreciate that you also recognize the importance of education and know that you will keep it at the forefront of your agenda.

As you may know, Montgomery County Public Schools continues to grow at an exceptionally rapid pace—more than 19,000 students during the past eight years. We expect enrollment to increase by 10,000 students in the next decade. This is why it is essential that the state not only maintain the $250 million previously set aside for school construction but rather increase it. We account for over 17 percent of the student population in the state, but only receive approximately 12 percent of state’s school construction funds.  Approximately $800 million is needed to address the enrollment growth and additional $190 million per year is needed to address the current $800 million of backlog of aging building infrastructure systems. Therefore, any funding below previous years would be devastating.

While Montgomery County’s needs are great, we are not alone. I know that my colleagues across the state are facing similar fiscal constraints and we view you as a valuable partner in the work of ensuring all of our children learn in a nurturing classroom. We are eager to work with you to find ways to increase funding for school construction. This is an issue of critical importance to our students and families and hope that you will be lead the way in increasing this essential investment in our future.

Once again, thank you for your consideration. We stand ready to assist in any way that we can on this important issue.

PBO:lsh

Copy to:
Comptroller Peter V. R. Franchot
Senator Nancy J. King
Delegate Shane A. Robinson
Members of the Montgomery County Delegation
County Executive Isiah Leggett
Members of the Montgomery County Council
Members of the Montgomery County Board of Education
Mr. Larry A. Bowers, Interim Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Andrew M. Zuckerman, Chief Operating Officer