HCPS presents 2025 facilities master plan; officials warn state funding and deferred maintenance are straining buildings
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Summary
Facilities staff presented a 2025 educational facilities master plan showing rising deferred maintenance, aging buildings and capacity pressures in growing areas; staff asked the board to approve the plan on June 23 to secure state and local capital timelines.
Harford County Public Schools staff presented the district's 2025 educational facilities master plan and comprehensive maintenance plan on June 9, warning that a combination of flat state funding, rising construction costs and mounting deferred maintenance is pushing the district's buildings toward unsustainable lifespans.
Facilities planner Missy Valentino and her team summarized capacity metrics (elementary ~90%, middle ~79%, high ~81%), identified growth pressures in southwest and southeast planning regions, and noted several large developments that may increase elementary enrollment at Bakerfield and other schools. The district said the average school age is roughly 50 years and that, without sustained capital investment, systems replacements are slipping into multi‑decade timelines; presenters used a hypothetical 50‑year lifecycle model to show how flat funding accumulates backlog.
Valentino said the state typically provides about $15,000,000 annually to Harford County (this year slightly higher), while the county may be able to provide roughly $50,000,000 in additional bond capacity; staff cautioned that one‑time Build to Learn funding that supported recent projects is not ongoing. The presentation highlighted system‑level needs for roofing, HVAC and plumbing, and noted specific incidents such as a chiller failure that forced a half‑day closure at Fountain Green Elementary this year.
Staff described a project timeline intended to restore a two‑year capital cycle and prioritized replacing or renovating Hartford Academy, addressing HVAC systemics at Southampton Middle, and planning Old Post Road replacement. They asked the board to take formal action on the master plan at the June 23 meeting so the district can meet July 1 deadlines for capital submissions and maintain the planning schedule.
Board members asked for building‑age slides and further breakdowns of priorities and funding options; staff said they would return with the updated timeline and supporting materials.