Baltimore County and Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) have released the recommendations from the first phase of the Multi-Year Improvement Plan for All Schools (MYIPAS).
MYIPAS is a 10-year capital planning process that will identify and prioritize needed improvements to Baltimore County’s school infrastructure.
The first phase focused on high schools. The second phase, focusing on all remaining schools, centers, and programs, is scheduled to be complete in May 2021. A final report is expected by fall 2021.
“We view the development of this plan as an important step forward on the path toward ensuring that all of our school buildings offer the type of physical environment most conducive for teaching and learning,” said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams.
Part of the construction recommendations has three groups based on priority.
Group 1 is considered the highest priority and is called Legacy Project which includes a $150 million demolition/reconstruction 1700-seat capacity school at Lansdowne High School.
The Group 2 recommendations is called Critical Additions which includes for four projects:
• Additional 650 seats to Dundalk High School
• Additional 500 seats and renovation for a new kitchen and cafeteria area at Towson High School
• Additional 200 seats and renovation at Loch Raven High School, which would relieve some overcrowding at Parkville High School
• Additional 250 seats to Patapsco High Center for the Arts
The Group 3 Recommendations is Relief Schools and/or Additions for a new high school in the northeast area of Baltimore County area and a new middle school/high school in the Sparrows Point/Edgemere area.
There are two options for both areas depending on funding. The first option calls for Perry Hall High School to add 225 seats with an addition to the cafeteria area; additional 200 seats to Overlea High School; and an additional 75 seats to Kenwood High School. Those three additions are projected to cost $50 million.
The second option for the northeast area is for Baltimore County to acquire land and to build a 1,200 seat new high school, along with the Perry Hall High renovation plan. Total cost is projected at $200 million.
Fifth District Councilman David Marks said he favors new school buildings.
“For more than two decades, I have worked to build new schools in Baltimore County. We have had some success with the construction of Honeygo Elementary School and county funding for two new schools,” Marks said in a statement.
“While these recommendations are preliminary, I do not support warehousing students by building additions at already-crowded schools. This plan needs input, scrutiny and changes.”
In Sparrows Point, both the high school and middle school share one building.
The first plan is to add 325 seats to the high school for around $50 million. The second proposal is build a new 750-seat middle school at a new location at $200 million and renovate the high school/middle school campus into a larger Sparrows Point High school.
Of course, the plans will be determined by the amount of funding. It appeared that Baltimore County and other jurisdictions throughout the state were going to be beneficiaries of the Learn to Build Act. The $400 million school construction bill was passed by the Maryland General Assembly and was expected to be signed into law by Gov. Larry Hogan. Then the coronavirus pandemic hit and Hogan vetoed all spending bills. The Maryland General Assembly could override Hogan’s veto.
A portion of that bill would provide funding 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.
If the veto is overridden and Baltimore County commits local matching funds, large renovation projects for all assessed adequacy, equity, and condition priorities could take place at all schools within 15 years.
If the Learn to Build Act does not provide local funding, there are two scenarios.
The first scenario would prioritize renovations for reduced scope at all schools within 15 years. The other scenario is not recommended by Baltimore County but would provide single large renovations every two – three years, but with many schools waiting decades for improvements.
“Every student in Baltimore County, regardless of their zip code, deserves access to a safe, modern school facility that meets the needs of their community,” said County Executive Johnny Olszewski.
“With aging infrastructure and a growing population, we have significant needs at the high school level, and these initial recommendations will serve as a critical resource as we work to ensure equitable allocation of resources throughout the County.”
The initial recommendations were developed by consultants from CannonDesign, a national architecture and planning company that has led over 1,300 education facility projects across the country, including over 200 education master plans.
