anchor Description
In order to address the overutilization at the high school level in the Downcounty Consortium and at Walter Johnson High School, the Board of Education's approved FY 2019-2024 CIP included three capital projects to address the overutilization in these areas. The approved CIP includes an expansion of Northwood High School, the reopening of Charles W. Woodward High School, and an addition at John F. Kennedy High School. The expansion of Northwood High school would increase the capacity to a 2,700 student capacity. The expansion of approximately 1,200 seats will require not only additional classrooms, but also reconfiguration of existing spaces and upgrades to building systems to accommodate the new student population. Therefore, an FY 2019 appropriation was approved to begin planning for this expansion and facility upgrade. On March 25, 2019, the Board of Education approved that this project would be constructed with students off-site and that Northwood High School operate at the Charles W. Woodward High School as a temporary holding facility during the construction period. Therefore, based on the Board's approval, this addition and facility upgrade was scheduled to be completed September 2025. Additional funding is included in the requested FY 2021-2026 CIP for this construction project. An FY 2022 appropriation was approved to begin the site work for this project. An FY 2023 appropriation was requested for construction funds and to address increases in construction costs. Due to fiscal constraints, the County Council, as part of the adopted FY2023-2028 CIP, delayed this project one year. Therefore, the school will be relocated to the Charles W. Woodward High School in August 2024, for two years. An FY 2024 appropriation was approved for construction funds and an amendment to the FY 2023-2028 CIP was approved for additional funds due to the impact on the construction industry as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. As part of the Board of Education's Requested FY25-30 CIP, the construction schedule for this project is extended one year. An FY 2025 appropriation was requested for the balance of funding for this project. However, to address cost increases and the need to enter into a construction contract prior to July 1, 2024, an FY2024 supplemental appropriation was requested by the Board and approved by the County Council to accelerate the FY2025 appropriation of $4.56 million and $5 million to provide additional construction funds for this project. As a result of the one-year construction extension, this project is scheduled to be completed August 2027. An FY 2026 appropriation of $5 million was approved to upgrade the stadium amenities.
anchorFiscal Note
State Aid approved under the IAC Capital Improvement Program. FY24 supplemental to reflect cost increase in the project of $5,000,000 with the acceleration of FY25 appropriation request early in G.O. Bonds for $1,159,000, and State Aid for $8,401,000.
anchorDisclosures
MCPS asserts that this project conforms to the requirement of relevant local plans, as required by the Maryland Economic Growth, Resource Protection and Planning Act.
anchorCoordination
Mandatory Referral - M-NCPPC, Department of Environmental Protection, Building Permits:, Code Review, Fire Marshall, Department of Transportation, Inspections, Sediment Control, Stormwater Management, WSSC Permits