EastBaltCo.com was the first to report that the General Assembly finally passed SB 1 which secured school construction funding across the state and Baltimore County.
This funding was set for three northeast Baltimore County school projects; a new elementary school in the Rossville area, a new middle school at Nottingham Park on King Avenue and to expand Pine Grove Middle School in Carney.
Gov. Larry Hogan was in favor of the construction money and was expected to sign the bill, but recent events of COVID-19 have changed the landscape of Maryland.
As a result of an unexpected economic downfall, Hogan said he was not going to sign any spending bills into law. It appears that the $400 million in Baltimore County school construction funding could be denied.
Fifth District School Board Member Julie Henn stated that BCPS is still going to plan for construction of those schools even though it is now unlikely.
“Last night, the Board approved a contract modification that authorizes the school system to purchase new technology for projects including the new NE Elementary School at Ridge Road and the new NE Middle School,” Henn said in a statement on Wednesday.
“The approval was bittersweet. While it is encouraging to see plans for these projects advance, construction cannot move forward without state funding.”
Henn added that she has been working hard to get these schools built in her district and said she will continue to fight for construction of those schools
“Baltimore County Councilman David Marks and I remain committed to doing everything we can to advance these schools for the communities we represent and call home,” Henn said.
