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Operations Committee reviews nearly $49 million in supplemental appropriations for construction, elevators and school FF&E/technology
Summary
Baltimore City Public Schools staff told the Operations Committee they will request board approval to move nearly $49 million from assigned fund balance into capital projects for high school construction augmentations, elevator upgrades, a City Springs match and FF&E/technology for several schools.
Baltimore City Public Schools staff presented four supplemental appropriation requests totaling just under $49 million to the Operations Committee on Jan. 21 and said they will ask the full board to approve moving those funds from general fund assigned fund balance to the capital projects fund.
Deputy Chief Financial Officer Mary Anne Cox outlined the package as four items: a $35.7 million construction augmentation for the high school plan (City College, Western and Poly), a $3.6 million request for multiple elevator upgrades, a $1.5 million funding match for the City Springs elementary/middle school project, and an $8.2 million request for furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) and technology for five prior-funded projects.
Why it matters: Cox said construction cost inflation and gaps in the Built to Learn Act allocations have created funding shortfalls that the district needs to close to proceed with planned high school renovations. The elevator funds target approximately five elevators in poor or nonoperable condition; staff said roughly 34 elevators are currently beyond useful life.
Details presented
- High school construction augmentation: $35,700,000 to reduce gaps for City College, Western and Poly. Staff said the allocation will get City College close to fully funded and will partially close gaps at Western and Poly, with additional funds likely needed later.
- Elevator upgrades: $3,600,000 to replace or repair about five elevators. Facilities staff said elevator prices have risen substantially and that district records show many elevators are beyond useful life.
- City Springs match: $1,500,000 to meet the district's memorandum of understanding (MOU) commitment with the city for a replacement facility tied to the Perkins Somerset redevelopment.
- FF&E and technology: $8,200,000 for furniture, fixtures and equipment and classroom technology at five projects (including State Gardens, Northeast, Mary G. Faring and Farley) that were funded before the Built to Learn Act allowed FF&E as a capital expense.
Staff said the CEO has authority to place items in assigned fund balance but that the district seeks board approval to transfer the funds into the capital projects fund for expenditure, per board policy DIG. Cox said the elevator supplemental will be presented for board approval on Feb. 11; the other three items will be on the Jan. 28 public board meeting agenda.
Questions and follow-up
Commissioners asked whether elevator investments target buildings the district plans to keep open; staff said they coordinate with the Office of Neighborhood Initiatives and will swap buildings on the list if necessary. On City Springs, facilities staff said the city controls the demolition timeline and that district construction is scheduled to start in spring 2026 with an anticipated opening in summer 2028, subject to demolition timing and bids.
The committee asked staff to circulate related materials and the district—s comprehensive capital plan to other board members ahead of the public board meetings. Staff said a CIP update will be available in the coming months.
