AACPS introduces new long range facilities plan for school construction over the next decade

Under the bright lights of the AACPS workshop, community members gathered to witness a pivotal moment in the future of local education infrastructure. The Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) board convened to discuss the development of a new Long Range Facilities Plan, a blueprint that will shape school construction and improvements over the next decade.

The meeting, broadcast live on local television and YouTube, aimed to inform the public about the ongoing planning process. While attendees were encouraged to engage with the material, the format did not allow for public questions or comments during the session. Instead, the focus was on presenting findings and timelines related to the facilities plan, which is crucial for accommodating nearly 85,000 students across 136 facilities.

Bill Heizer, AACPS Chief Operating Officer, and Kyle Roof, Director of Facilities, led the presentation, outlining the primary goals of the new plan. This initiative seeks to update the previous 2015 strategic facilities utilization master plan and provide a comprehensive 10-year recommendation for capital improvements. The plan is designed to ensure the safety, security, and upkeep of district facilities while promoting efficient resource management.

With an average facility age of 30 years and a staggering replacement value of $8.2 billion, the need for a strategic approach to school infrastructure is clear. The workshop highlighted the importance of data-driven recommendations that will guide decision-making for the future. The plan, developed in collaboration with the consulting firm Perkins Eastman, aims to address the pressing needs of the school system while fostering transparency in the planning process.

As the meeting concluded, the board reminded attendees that public comments on the plan would be accepted through June 2025 via the AACPS website. This ongoing dialogue underscores the commitment to involving the community in shaping the educational landscape for years to come. The Long Range Facilities Plan represents not just a roadmap for construction, but a vision for the future of education in Anne Arundel County.