Superintendent Presents Capital Budget Proposals

September 7th, 2018

Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) Superintendent Dr. Michael J. Martirano presented his Proposed Capital Budget for fiscal year 2019-2020 (FY 2020), FY 2021-2025 Capital Improvement Program and FY 2020-2029 Long-Range Master Plan to the Board of Education during its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, September 6, 2018.



The proposed $89.2 million Capital Budget, $557 million Capital Improvement Program and $938 million Long-Range Master Plan support Dr. Martirano’s Strategic Call to Action to facilitate high-quality instructional programming in an inclusive, nurturing learning environment and close opportunity gaps. The proposal addresses projected student capacity and existing facility needs in order to relieve overcrowded schools and support rapid enrollment growth, which is projected to add approximately 7,900 additional students to the system by 2029.


The Capital Budget planning process links capital planning with attendance area planning and addresses long-range needs identified in the annual Feasibility Study. It adds improvements and capacity where they are most urgently needed to relieve overcrowded classrooms, ensures the equitable allocation of high-quality instructional resources, and incorporates priorities identified by parents, staff, county government leaders and community members.


Major items included in the FY 2020 budget proposal include costs for a replacement for Talbott Springs Elementary School, scheduled to open in August 2022; New High School #13, scheduled to open in August 2023; and a renovation and addition at Hammond High School, scheduled for completion in August 2023.

The capital improvement program proposal includes additional funding for the Talbott Springs replacement school and for new elementary schools #43 and 44, modernization and renovations at existing schools, and additions to provide needed capacity at Dunloggin and Ellicott Mills middle schools.

The proposed Long-Range Master Plan includes funding for four future elementary schools and a future high school, which are needed to meet projected enrollment growth; and a new Middle and High School Career Development Center that would replace the existing Applications and Research Laboratory.


The Board has scheduled a public hearing and work session on the FY 2020 Capital Budget and FY 2021-2025 Capital Improvement Program during its September 20, 2018, 7 p.m. meeting, and will take action immediately following the work session.