MONTGOMERY Co. – Director of Transportation and acting Director of Facilities Eddie Walters and the Director of Finance Angie Bland presented MCPS summer projects in need of capital funding during the April 1 school board meeting.
According to their presentation, Auburn Elementary and Kipps Elementary schools are due to have their roofs replaced before the start of the 2025-2026 school year, if funds are approved. Montgomery Central and the Operations Center need new windows as well as replacement of the original metal pipes with new pipes. The expansion of the Operations Center bus parking lot, along with road paving, would allow for additional parking spaces and improved access.
“Thank you for getting that parking lot done finally. Can we move this to the top of the list,” Board Member Dana Partin said.
“Are these all the projects for the summer, or just the major ones,” Board member Penny Franklin asked. “Those windows at Montgomery Central, I don’t even know how they’re still staying in.”
Walters responded that these are just the major ones, but a list of other projects would be provided to board members.
Board member Dr. Derek Rountree requested additional information concerning road access to Montgomery Central.
“Currently we have a, it’s basically a one-way-one way in, one way out. So, they come in and off of Depot and then they exit out on Sheltman Street. So, they can go right or left on Sheltman,” Walters said.
Superintendent Bernard Bragen, Jr. said that the Auburn Elementary School has experienced “significant” leaks recently due to needed roof repair. Kipps has experienced water leaks from the roof as well, although not as extreme in comparison to Auburn, Bragen, Jr. said.
“Auburn Elementary celebrated its 25th year last year and Kipps is the same age as well,” Bragen, Jr. said, with the roof reaching the approximate typical lifespan for replacement.
“I’m just going to kudos on the bus thing, because I have been fussing about that for years,” Board member Jamie Bond said. “No sense on paying rent on another lot if we don’t have to.”
Bland said that bids will be finished within the next week or two, “so we’ll take a look at that. We will work to use up the remaining fiscal year 2025 capital funds and then some can actually be awarded in July and beyond and we would present those at the first July meeting for ’26 funding.”
Walters confirmed that the additional bus parking would allow for the elimination of the additional rented bus parking lot.
According to presentation slides provided on the www.mcps.org website, “capital funds transfer requests will be presented at upcoming board meetings.”
