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Master feasibility study shows options to co‑locate Calvert Elementary and Calvert Country; swing space could enable other CIP projects
Summary
Planning staff presented a master feasibility study for the Calvert Elementary and Calvert Country campus that shows a possible co‑located replacement, opportunities to repurpose existing buildings as swing space and a range of long‑term CIP options.
Planning and construction staff presented a master feasibility study for the Calvert Elementary and Calvert Country campus and the Brooks Administration Building, describing an "art of the possible" approach that would co‑locate Calvert Country School and Calvert Elementary and retain existing buildings for future uses.
Presentation and core findings Suchita Warner, Director of Planning and Construction, told the board that state approval and funding for the Calvert Country School project are contingent on co‑location with Calvert Elementary. The study shows that two new buildings (Calvert Elementary and Calvert Country) can be sited between the existing school buildings, with adequate parking and bus circulation, while keeping existing facilities for future uses.
Potential uses and sequence Staff outlined several possible long‑term uses for the retained buildings: a regional pre‑K or limited alternative education center, an infants and toddlers program, centralized departmental space (special education, student services, instruction), or swing space to support the later renovation of Mount Harmony Elementary. Warner emphasized that a viable swing space would make it possible to pursue partial renovations or additions to constrained sites such as Mount Harmony.
Costs, timelines and state funding The presentation included order‑of‑magnitude cost and square‑footage estimates for a test‑fit; staff cautioned those estimates must be escalated for time of construction. Warner also said the district's state participation rate in school construction has been reduced in staff calculations from 56% to 54% and is projected to fall to 51% in FY 2029; she said staff will show the revised state/local shares in the next CIP iteration and will seek Board of County Commissioners and MSDE support if needed.
Next steps Staff recommended convening a stakeholder committee to study regional program needs and to develop implementation plans for the CIP, including inserting work to make Calvert Elementary usable as swing space (HVAC, partial roofing and painting). The board did not take action; the presentation was informational only.
