The Saint Mary's County Board of Education on Dec. 10 approved its FY2027–FY2032 local Capital Improvements Program after a detailed presentation on the condition of school facilities and options for braided funding.

Ms. Helm of the Division of Supporting Services told the board that the state comptroller’s report found roughly 80% of Maryland public schools need significant repair, and that locally the average Facility Condition Index (FCI) is about 53%, a level she said shows many buildings require near-term attention. "The higher the number, the more the building needs repair," she said during the presentation.

The draft local CIP grows the project list from 27 to 32 and prioritizes 11 roof projects and 12 HVAC replacements over the six-year span, with the stated aim of addressing mold, ventilation and dehumidification needs in addition to structural repairs. Ms. Helm said those choices were driven by limited state allocations and a desire to align with the state’s forthcoming COP priority fund, which will weigh enrollment and a facility-condition measure called the Maryland Condition Index.

Board members pressed staff on funding strategies for specific projects. Ms. Helm said Chopticon High School’s project has a 75% state recommendation and that the district has secured the state portion for that work. By contrast, Leonardtown High School’s chiller received a status B from the Interagency Commission (approved but not funded). "It got a status B — it's an approved project. They just lack funding for it," she said, and estimated the state portion for the chiller at roughly $1.3 million.

Ms. Helm outlined options if state funding does not materialize: pursue additional competitive grants (including a pending decarbonization grant for Chopticon), appeal to state partners such as the Maryland Stadium Authority, or reallocate local CIP funds — a move she warned would reduce the money available for other projects. She also noted short-term operational costs if the chiller is not replaced: board members discussed the potential use of a temporary chiller and quoted a prior rental figure of about $65,000 per month.

The presentation described the complexity of mixing multiple funding sources on one project and the need to phase, design and coordinate contracts so each funding source’s rules and deadlines are met. Ms. Helm said some programmatic requests were deferred to prioritize roof and HVAC systemic work.

After discussion, a board member moved to approve the FY2027–FY2032 local CIP for submission to the Saint Mary's County commissioners; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Chair Karen Bailey announced the motion carried.

The board directed staff to submit the required detail sheets to the county by Jan. 5 and to continue pursuing supplemental grants and appeals to secure additional funding for projects that remain unfunded. The district will monitor grant results (including the decarbonization submission) and the state COP priority fund formula as those processes conclude.