State Funding Recommendation Increased For 3 HCPSS Projects

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — The Interagency Commission on School Construction has increased its state funding recommendation for the Howard County Public School System's priority construction projects by nearly $8 million, bringing the total state funding recommendation to $28.6 million out of a requested $40.3 million.

The adjusted IAC recommendation elevated the Hammond High School renovation and addition project from a B local planning status and a C funding status to A statuses for both, adding $5.37 million of prior year appropriations for recommended state funding out of a requested $14 million to the project after recommending no state funding to support the project in December.

Additionally, the IAC state funding recommendation for the Talbott Springs Elementary School replacement project increased by $2.6 million through prior year appropriations, fully funding the $8.2 million in requested state funding. The $15 million state funding request for High School #13 was recommended by IAC to be fully funded in December

“Ensuring the completion of these three critical school construction projects is a top priority of my administration,” Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said in a statement. “While I am encouraged that the IAC increased its recommendation of state support for our school construction efforts, fully funding the requests for High School #13 and Talbott Springs, there is work left to do to secure the remaining state requested funding for the Hammond High School project.”

Final approvals on funding levels for projects in the fiscal year 2022 capital budget will be made by IAC in May.

"As Howard County continues to be one of the fastest growing counties in the state, it is critical that our capital planning requirements are met," HCPSS Superintendent Michael J. Martirano said in a news release. "We anticipate welcoming 8,500 additional students over the next 10 years and want to ensure that our schools have the operational capacity and functionality to account for this large increase while avoiding disruptive comprehensive redistricting efforts. The renovation and addition project currently underway at Hammond High School was long overdue and is an essential component to our long-range capital planning."