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 four elementary schools prioritized under this newly established approach include Burning Tree, Cold Spring, Piney Branch, and Highland View, previously identified as an addition project. All of these projects were requested to begin planning in FY 2028 with completion dates of August 2031. Due to fiscal constraints, in the adopted FY2027-2032 CIP, the County Council approved these projects with planning starting in FY31 and anticipated completion dates of August 2034.

Subsequently, Damascus, Twinbrook, and Whetstone elementary schools ranked lower in the prioritization process, therefore, the Board is requesting previously appropriated funds to be reallocated to other projects.

FY21 supplemental in G.O. Bonds for the amount of $5,853,000 to accelerate completion date to 2023 in the South Lake ES. FY22 Supplemental for $16,725,000 in GO Bonds for Burnt Mills ES ($5.2 million); South Lake ES ($2.057 million); Stonegate ES ($3.528 million); and Woodlin ES ($5.940 million).

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.