Leggett proposes $41 million more for school construction — Gazette.Net

Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett is recommending the county direct about $41.3 million more than he originally proposed toward school construction projects.

The extra funds would produce a total of more than $1.5 billion for Montgomery County Public Schools capital improvement program for fiscal years 2015 through 2020, compared to Leggetts original proposal in January of about $1.1 billion.

Leggetts recommendation to increase county funding for the school system follows unsuccessful efforts in the General Assembly to give Montgomery $20 million more a year in state funding for school construction projects.

School board President Philip Kauffman said Monday the extra money Leggett is recommending would help the school system somewhat, but still leaves a significant funding gap.

There still will be significant delays to projects across the county, he said.

Before Leggett released his recommendation, the County Councils Education Committee approved Monday a plan aimed at addressing the roughly $230 million gap between the school systems request for capital funds and Leggetts original proposal.

Council President Craig L. Rice (D-Dist. 2) of Germantown said the recommended funding which come from school impact tax revenue might alter that plan.

Were right now in feverish meetings to see what in fact this means for us, Rice said Tuesday.

Under the plan the council committee approved, the school system would cut about $170 million over the six-year period through one-year delays to all projects including additions, revitalization and expansion projects that dont have construction funds in fiscal 2015.

Larry Bowers, the county school systems chief operating officer, said the plan wouldnt delay any project that is either already under way or going to get under way in fiscal 2015.

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Leggett proposes $41 million more for school construction -- Gazette.Net