Criticism in Montgomery County over school construction delays and maintenance problems
"We are in school for 180 days. 180 days of mice, mold, moldy ceilings, and underfunding if you are a Magruder student," Magruder High School junior Justin Tom told members of the Montgomery County Public Schools (MPCS) Board of Education on Nov. 4.
Tom was one of several who came to the hearing to testify about school maintenance problems and delayed construction projects.
"We are concerned that the recommended CIP [Capital Improvement Program] moves 3 million to other projects and delays construction funds," Rockville Mayor Monique Ashton told the board.
The testimony came after 7News reported on October 22 that Superintendent Dr. Thomas Taylor acknowledged MCPS will not receive $39.3 million in expected state aid due to "an error in the MCPS submission for aid in the Charles W. Woodward Project,"
Taylor recommended transferring $17.7 million from several elementary and middle school construction projects.
"Our concern is how much harder is it going to be for us to get back into the Capital Improvement Program because right now we are cut," Magruder High PTSA President Kim Glassman told 7News.
Glassman explained the school's Major Capital Project had a completion date of 2029 but was removed from the budget last spring.
On Monday, she and a group of students told board members about problems at the more than 50-year-old school with lockers, restrooms, an elevator, outdoor lighting, the roof, and the school's HVAC system.
"What our community needs to know is, how likely is it to have a major capital project really ever in the near future and if not, let's start doing these things that our students talked about last night," Glassman said.
MCPS was closed for Election Day. 7News will let you know when we hear back.
The next public hearing on the Superintendent's Recommended FY 2026 Capital Budget and Amendments to the FY 2025–2030 Capital Improvements Program is on Nov. 6 at 6 p.m.