Montgomery County study finds uneven middle-school athletics facilities; auxiliary gym at Montgomery Central would cost about $2.5 million

Anthony Johnson, chief communications officer for Montgomery County Schools, presented a districtwide inventory and cost study on middle-school athletics at the Oct. 25 work session, showing uneven facilities across middle schools and offering cost and timeline estimates for adding sports.

Johnson said every middle school has a main gym, but auxiliary gyms or multipurpose spaces vary. "There is one school that does not have either a full auxiliary gym or a dedicated space, and that is Montgomery Central Middle School," Johnson said, describing site visits conducted by Norm and his team to verify facilities and completion dates.

Johnson provided cost estimates for facility additions: adding a full auxiliary gym at Montgomery Central would cost about $2,500,000, he said, and bringing every middle- and high-school campus to parity for specified amenities would total a little over $25,000,000. He emphasized that the figures are informational and that the district was "not advocating or requesting that this work be done at this time."

The presentation recommended prioritizing middle-school athletics that currently have state-sanctioned tournaments. Citing consultation with staff, Johnson listed boys and girls soccer, wrestling, softball, baseball and track as the sports with tournaments; golf, tennis and girls flag football were not identified as having a state tournament in the district's current review.

Staff estimated startup and recurring annual costs for each sport and provided projected participation numbers based on three years of high-school participation data, alongside districtwide coach counts necessary to operate programs. Johnson said equipment and uniform lead times are now shorter than during the pandemic and vendors could generally deliver equipment and uniforms in about four to eight weeks, but he cautioned that construction and facility upgrades would take longer.

Johnson also warned that startup cost estimates excluded potential staffing increases, additional custodial or trainer needs, and the long-term maintenance and replacement costs of uniforms and equipment. He said the district is considering whether to include new athletics choices in the April budget process and suggested posting coach positions "pending budget approval" so hires could begin quickly if funding is approved.

Board members asked for follow-up site visits and for dollar figures to be provided as the district considers priorities. No formal motion or vote was taken during the presentation.

Ending: Johnson said the district has time to refine cost estimates, staffing impacts and scheduling before any budget decision and recommended the board identify which athletics to prioritize for potential inclusion in the next budget cycle.