Facilities director warns state funding buys less: CCPS presents FY2028 CIP priorities

Director of Facilities Chichida Warner presented the FY2028 Capital Improvement Program and warned that state funding changes and higher per-square-foot construction costs mean local taxpayers will need to cover a larger share of renovation and construction work. Warner said the state's percentage for funding has declined to 51% for FY2028 (raising the local share to 49%), and showed that reduced published state per-square-foot rates sharply lower the amount of buildable space that the same funding buys compared with FY2022.

Warner highlighted priority projects for FY2028: final local funding to complete Northern Middle School work, design funding for a Calvert Elementary co-located facility and feasibility/study timelines for Mount Harmony Elementary and various athletic-field and parking-lot projects. She said the district is also seeking a Maryland Energy Administration grant to help cover some projects. Board members asked about the state-share calculation and bonding vs. PAYGO options.