By Adam Pagnucco.
Part One examined Superintendent Thomas Taylor’s rationale for his huge capital budget ask. Part Two quantified huge in historical terms. (Yes, it’s huge, folks.) Now let’s look at the details.
First, there is good news. Five large projects in the last six year capital budget (FY25-30 amended) have progressed through construction and now have less remaining spending programmed. They are Charles Woodward HS Reopening, JoAnn Leleck ES Replacement, Burtonsville ES Replacement, Crown HS (New) and Northwood HS Addition. In the prior Capital Improvements Program (CIP), those projects accounted for $574 million. In Taylor’s recommended FY27-32 CIP, their remaining spending accounts for $322 million. That equals $252 million freed up for spending on other projects.
That’s the end of the good news.
Eight new or newish projects ate up that money and a whole lot more. They are Damascus HS Replacement, Eastern MS Replacement, Sligo MS Renewal/Addition, Piney Branch ES Replacement, Highland View ES Replacement, Burning Tree ES Replacement, Cold Spring ES Replacement and Sligo Creek ES Replacement. In the old CIP, those projects accounted for $45 million in spending combined. Most of them had zero or very little money programmed. In Taylor’s recommended CIP, they account for a combined $920 million, an increase of $875 million. That’s close to the entire $949 million increase in Taylor’s recommendation.
Oh, but there’s more! The table below shows the change in every line item in both budgets, the old one and the new one, which had at least $50 million in either one. These are the major cost drivers in Taylor’s huge ask.
So what does this mean? First, Taylor is initiating the first round of school improvements that he discussed in his narrative in Part One. Second, there are large increases for HVAC, roof work and outdoor infrastructure. Again, this is consistent with his prior statements.
But this item caught my attention: Central Office Headquarters (CESC Replacement). It costs $223 million, or nearly a quarter of the total dollar increase in Taylor’s recommendation over six years. And it has an additional $200 million scheduled beyond year six, making it a $400+ million project. What is it? Here is what Taylor’s budget says.
*****
Central Office Headquarters (CESC Replacement) — The existing CESC building is in need of major repairs. The intent of this project is to create a new central office headquarters located on the CESC and former Rock Terrace School site. Having all of central services on one campus will allow for a better end-user experience, such as having access to the Welcome Center, a variety of Special Education services, staff members needing to take care of financial or human resources matters, or need access to the superintendent’s and Board of Education’s office. This model aligns with many other school district’s central services operations…
The existing Carver Educational Services Center (CESC) building is in need of major repairs. This project will fund the planning and construction of a new central office headquarters located on the CESC and former Rock Terrace School site. Having all of central services on one campus will allow for a better end-user experience for families and staff members. This model aligns with many other school district’s central services operations.
*****
TT, what are you thinking? Remember the flak MCPS got for leasing new headquarters space on Gude Drive? Bethesda Magazine called it “spiffy, new digs” while some folks on social media called it other things that I can’t print without losing my blogger’s license. A $400+ million new campus makes Gude look like a flea-bitten tent in a trailer park.
This is sure to attract scrutiny from the media as well as politicians fearing a recession.
MoCo politicians have a loooooong history of delaying shiny new headquarters buildings that they believe would annoy the public. The county council building (yeah, the one used by MCPS’s funders) is a case in point. It is a hideous Frankenstein monster of additions that fit together like busted Lego blocks. When I worked there in 2010-14, the place had stains, leaks, rampaging mice and finicky air conditioning. One day I was at work and a tornado came to Rockville. I could see the dark funnel cloud from my office window. I thought, “You know, if that tornado were to hit this building, that might be the only way to get the council to fund a replacement.” Yes, I was inside the building at the time, but I was willing to run to the basement and take my chances. The council finally renovated the building – but did not replace it – after I left.
That aside, it’s hard to argue that MCPS has serious HVAC and roofing needs and school improvements have vocal constituencies who are often correct. (Would you want to choke on the mold at New Hampshire Estates ES?) Mocking MCPS’s new imperial palace does not remedy its legitimate – and expensive – needs. But how can we afford to pay for them?
We will begin exploring that next.