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School board reviews Jordan Springs and Middletown expansions as overcrowding continues
Summary
At a July 23 work session, Frederick County Public Schools staff showed plans to expand Jordan Springs and Middletown elementary schools, citing current enrollments above building capacity, phased bid and construction timelines, and plans to use modular classrooms and overflow parking during work.
Frederick County Public Schools staff on Wednesday presented detailed expansion plans for Jordan Springs and Middletown elementary schools as both campuses continue to operate over capacity.
"The current capacity stands at 500 with the current enrollment, at the end of this school year at 656," Mr. Shepherd told the board, describing a Jordan Springs expansion that would increase capacity to 737 — an addition of 237 seats — and would add 12 classrooms and a larger gym. Shepherd said the Jordan Springs bid advertisement is slated for Oct. 1 with bid opening Nov. 5, and the project is planned in two phases: a classroom wing due Aug. 2026 and a gym addition due July 2027.
Why the need: board members pressed staff on the school’s original design and past funding decisions. A staff member recalled an earlier proposal and funding shifts, saying, "Originally, it was a $32,000,000 ask. Then it came back in, and we they only approved 27 and a half million." He said the current ask for the Jordan Springs expansion is about $13,600,000.
On Middletown, Shepherd outlined similar pressures: current enrollment at the end of the year stood roughly in the mid‑600s and the planned expansion would add about 259 seats, bringing capacity to roughly 786. Construction documents are expected late fall, with a target bid advertisement in March and completion by May 2028.
Board members raised operational concerns about construction impact. When asked where additional staff parking will be located given the site’s small footprint, staff said there is no new permanent parking planned and that construction will rely on overflow parking near the stormwater ponds. "We’ll have additional parking," Shepherd said when describing site plans, while another staff member noted existing parking was fully built out when the original building was constructed and that the overflow lot will need to be used during construction.
The board also pressed staff on student learning during construction. Dr. Hummer said modular classrooms will remain in place during the work, and principals and facilities will coordinate to keep instruction moving. Some mechanical and tie‑in work will be scheduled after hours to reduce classroom disruption.
Staff reported the modular units had been set recently despite weather delays, with electrical and plumbing work remaining and an August 7 target to have them ready for the school year.
What’s next: staff said they will return to Buildings & Grounds with further details and that the next committee meeting is Aug. 11. The expansions remain in design development; staff will bring construction documents, phasing plans and cost updates back to the board as plans are finalized.
