Governor O'Malley, Board of Public Works Approve $340 Million for School Construction Funding
Another Record Year in School Construction Funding Awarded to Counties across the State
ANNAPOLIS, MD (May 21, 2008) – Governor Martin O’Malley, joined by Treasurer Nancy Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot, today approved the final allocation of $112 million from the total $340 million in public school construction funding to school systems across the state. In his capital budget, Governor O’Malley has invested $340 million in school construction funding for FY 2009, another record year of public school construction funding.
“This year, Maryland was ranked third in the nation for best schools by Education Week. As a State, we must continue to protect our high quality of life and ensure that every Maryland child receives a world class education,” said Governor O’Malley. “Over the last two years, we’ve squared our shoulders to make a truly historic investment - $741 million – in school construction and renovation. I look forward to working with both the Comptroller and the Treasurer as we continue to make real and steady progress on our shared priorities, including the priority of public education.”
On January 30, 2008, Governor O’Malley, Treasurer Kopp and Comptroller Franchot met with Superintendents of school systems across the state for the annual “hope-a-thon.” The “hope-a-thon,” formerly known as the “beg-a-thon” was implemented by the Board of Public Works to allow school superintendents to have a more meaningful conversation with the Board of Public Works on their jurisdiction’s key school priorities. The superintendents of school systems asked for portions of the remaining unallocated $108 million of the total $340 million in state aid for public school construction funding. The recommendations are made by the State’s Interagency Committee on School Construction. The recommendations reflect local priorities, while recognizing projects that address the mandates of the Bridge to Excellence in Education Act.
In addition to making a historic investment in public education, Governor O’Malley, working with the General Assembly, froze state college tuition for a third consecutive year so that higher education is accessible to more Maryland families.
The Interagency Committee on School Construction was established by the Board of Public Works in 1971 to administer the State of Maryland's Public School Construction Program. Since its inception in 1971, the State has approved in excess of $2.2 billion for school construction projects in the 24 school systems throughout the State. The State in 1971 also assumed $755 million of local county debt for school construction projects that were constructed prior to June 30, 1967. The Interagency Committee operates under the provisions of the Rules, Regulations, and Procedures for the Administration of the School Construction Program which are approved and amended by the Board of Public Works.
