District presents EFMP; La Plata High School slated for a major state construction allocation

Mr. Heim, the district's facilities lead, gave the board a condensed Educational Facilities Master Plan (EFMP) overview and said the document—required annually—supports the district's capital improvement program. Heim listed required EFMP sections including grade‑organization patterns, staffing ratios, transportation policies, attendance‑zone/redistricting procedures, gifted and special‑education program descriptions, and a facilities inventory with project schedules.

Heim said the Interagency Committee on School Construction (IAC) is likely to allocate about $21,000,000 to Charles County Public Schools this cycle, and that approximately 90 percent of that allocation was slated for the La Plata High School renovation and addition. The La Plata project would add roughly 73,000 square feet and is planned as a phased, occupied renovation that will include new additions followed by multi‑year renovation of existing spaces. Two kindergarten additions remain in design (Higdon and Mitchell) but did not receive construction funding in this round.

Heim explained redistricting policy: the district conducts redistricting to create zones when opening new schools or to rebalance enrollment when funding is not available to build. He said the superintendent can place a moratorium on enrollment at a school—an action CCPS plans to use at Thornton Elementary because of sustained rapid growth. For long‑term planning, Heim noted that a new middle school (referred to as Middle School 10) could open as early as 2030–2031 if funding and enrollment justify design and construction; a typical state‑rate capacity for a new middle school is about 950 students.

Heim closed by reminding the board the EFMP will be an action item at the June meeting and must be submitted to the Maryland Department of Planning by July 1.