PGCPS May Replace 6 Schools; Leaders Make Final Push Before Vote

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — County officials took to the phones Monday night, offering one last push for a plan to build six public schools with private money. If approved, the proposal would cost $900 million over 30 years.

Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks joined school system CEO Monica Goldson in a telephone town hall with more than 17,000 participants. The duo hoped to clear up last-minute misconceptions about the public-private partnership, also known as P3. The town hall came days before the Board of Education is set to vote on the final contract.

The project's price tag worries many county residents. Goldson told callers that the county is not asking for more money nor is it requesting additional taxes to fund the project.

A board vote for P3 would set aside, or earmark, some of the money that is already in the school system's budget. That means the board would commit $30 million-per-year to the school payments.

The school system would withdraw the money from its $211 million annual construction allotment, called the capital budget. The funding would not come from the school system's $2 billion operational budget that pays teachers and everyday expenses.

Goldson attempted to calm parents by comparing the contract to a 30-year mortgage. Most school builders demand payment upfront, but the P3 plan does not require that initial investment.

Prince George's County Public Schools would instead pay for the new buildings over time. PGCPS would assume ownership of the schools after it pays off its "mortgages."

Until then, the private firm will own the buildings and handle their maintenance costs, which are built into the contract. Goldson views this upkeep agreement as an extra perk because most other construction warranties only last a few years.

She sees the investment as a common sense solution to failing infrastructure. The half a dozen schools slated for replacement range in age from 47 to 82 years old.

"We have to do better than that," Goldson said, noting that most schools last about 50 years. "While we can’t modernize every building, this is a start."

If okayed, P3 would bring new facilities to Adelphi, Capitol Heights, Hyattsville and Landover, replacing these schools:

PGCPS's maintenance backlog extends even further. The school system projects that it will need an extra $8.5 billion to modernize facilities over the next 20 years. Alsobrooks thinks this signals that students need better resources.

"They do deserve to attend schools worthy of their dignities," the county executive said. "The decisions that we make today speak boldly about the value that we place on our children."

PGCPS has about 132,000 students spread across 207 schools, and enrollment is on the rise. The potential new schools would grow the system's capacity by 8,000 students.

Some students are taking notice of the unique public-private partnership, which the county says is the first in the nation.

One student at Suitland High School, named Roland, believes it is critically important to seal this deal. The senior, whose last name was inaudible, thinks students will continue to suffer from aging schools if P3 does not come to fruition.

"Kids will still be sitting in the same seats my grandparents were," Roland said. "They talk about us. They never really talk with us."

The Board of Education will vote on the P3 proposal this Wednesday. Residents can tune into the 7 p.m. board meeting at this link. A video presentation explaining the plan is available here.

If ratified, construction would begin after the final details are ironed out by January of 2021. The buildings would open by July of 2023.

Builders would not receive payment until at least half the project is completed. The value of the contract would diminish if the schools open late. Officials say these safeguards should help construction finish on time.

Crews call themselves the Prince George’s County Education and Community Partners. The following companies would supply workers:

• Fengate Capital Management Ltd.
• Gilbane Development Company, Inc.
• Gilbane Building Company
• Stantec
• Honeywell

Alsobrooks says the project will bring more than 3,000 jobs to Prince George's County. She touted the economic benefits of the project in a Monday Op-Ed for The Washington Post. She writes that 30 percent of P3's budget will pay local or minority-owned businesses.

"Prince George’s parents and our community have been waiting decades for new schools," she wrote. "It’s time the county delivers."

RELATED:

• Prince George's School Construction P3 Plan Draws Backlash Before Board Vote

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