Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Capital Planning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves Educational Facilities Master Plan despite concerns about data and equity
Summary
The Board of Education approved the 2026 Educational Facilities Master Plan required for state submission, but several members said the document lacks finalized data validation and questioned the removal or presentation of equity measures; supporters said the plan is a 'living document' required by COMAR.
After extended discussion on June 25, the Howard County Board of Education approved the 2026 Educational Facilities Master Plan (EFMP), a state‑required document intended to guide long‑range capital prioritization. The motion to approve passed 5‑3.
Board member Mosley and others argued the draft is incomplete, lacks validated data and omitted equity language they expected from a work group. Mosley urged the board to seek a waiver beyond the July 1 state deadline rather than submit an incomplete plan. Miss McCoy requested that any public materials include a clear label such as "preliminary" to avoid the appearance that prioritization results are final. Miss Chamblee urged further statistical rigor, warning current scores will be arbitrary until trend data exist.
Cornell Brown, chief operating officer, responded that the EFMP is a statutory requirement due to the state on July 1 and described the plan as a "living document" that will be updated annually. Brown said staff are developing a new capital prioritization process and that the current plan reflects the system’s "best thinking" while additional refinement and a work group will follow. He also linked the EFMP to capital budget planning and the FY29 CIP.
Supporters said delaying submission could risk state funding and that the board previously approved the prioritization work group that will continue refinement. The board carried the motion to approve the EFMP 5‑3. The plan and its supporting materials will be revisited in the fall as staff present refined prioritization rubrics and additional data.
