Beginning in 2025, MCPS hired a third party contractor to conduct facility assessments which led to a data set known as a Facility Condition Index (FCI). These assessments will eventually be performed at all facilities, but an initial batch of approximately 50 schools were identified. The initial batch of schools had been included in recent CIPs, scored high on the Maryland Condition Index (MDCI), or had not received a major capital project for over 50 years. Along with the FCI, other relevant data sets were incorporated into a new CIP prioritization framework that led to the requested FY 2027 Major Capital Projects.

The first two secondary schools prioritized under this newly established approach include Eastern Middle School and Damascus High School. As part of the FY 2027 Capital Budget and FY 2027-2032 CIP, it was proposed to close Silver Spring International Middle School (SSIMS) in July 2030 and convert the facility into a holding school. Sligo Middle School and Eastern Middle School were originally identified to provide capacity for additional SSIMS enrollment. This closure proposal is currently suspended, therefore, no major capital project at Sligo Middle School is approved. The Board requested a replacement project for Eastern MS, independent of the outcome of the SSIMS decision, with planning to begin in FY 2027 and an anticipated completion date of August 2030. Damascus High School has been approved to begin planning in FY 2027 with an anticipated completion date of August 2031.

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.