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School board approves CIP to pursue SCAP funding for Auburn HVAC and other projects
Summary
The board approved a 24‑month capital improvement plan that prioritizes the Auburn Elementary HVAC project for SCAP grant consideration; members discussed packaging projects to meet SCAP thresholds and noted the division will seek roughly 20% state participation based on current demographics.
The board voted to approve the presented Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) to position Montgomery County Public Schools to apply for Virginia School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP) funds.
Dr. Mike Brown, director of facilities, said the CIP is a 10‑year framework broken into near-, mid- and long-term segments and includes a 24‑month list of critical projects. He told trustees the Auburn Elementary HVAC renovation is the division’s primary candidate for SCAP funding and explained how the VDOE uses a point-based system to allocate 10–30% funding for qualifying projects. "You could receive anywhere from 10 to 30% funding of the total cost," Brown said; with current demographics he estimated MCPS would likely qualify for about 20%.
Board members raised technical questions about SCAP thresholds, project packaging and local funding: one member noted 20% on the Auburn project equates to roughly $738,000 in potential state participation and suggested pulling forward additional projects with that savings. Another cautioned that SCAP has minimum project thresholds and caps on the number of projects a division may submit, recommending careful packaging.
Motion and vote: A motion to approve the CIP and proceed with SCAP application was moved, seconded, and passed by roll call (7–0). The roll call recorded the following votes: Miss Bond — Yes; Miss Franklin — Yes; Dr. Gitry — Yes; Miss Pardon — Yes; Mr. Roberts — Yes; Dr. Rountree — Yes; Miss Purcell — Yes. The board requested that staff continue to refine project lists and prepare for submission to the county board of supervisors for parallel approval.
Why it matters: Approval authorizes the division to pursue state construction assistance that could reduce the local funding requirement for capital projects and accelerate needed facility work.
Next steps: Staff will present finalized project packaging and coordinate with Montgomery County supervisors so the division may submit SCAP applications when VDOE opens its application cycle.
Speakers quoted or referenced: Dr. Mike Brown (director of facilities).
