Local governments struggling to provide enough classrooms are increasingly worried about how much state school construction aid they'll have after July 1 - fears fed by the cancellation of annual state funding hearings scheduled for Thursday.
All but three of Maryland's 24 jurisdictions are appealing for more money than the amount recommended last month by the state Interagency Committee on School Construction. Those seeking more funds were notified not to show up Thursday because no one knows how much money will be available.
"We're taking a conservative approach at this point in time," said Yale Stenzler, executive director of the committee.
In August, Gov. Parris N. Glendening, a Democrat, suggested that $150 million might be available for school construction next year, but budget estimates predict $78.5 million.
With Maryland facing a projected $1.7 billion budget shortfall, and Gov.-elect Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. - the state's first Republican elected in 36 years - awaiting inauguration, no one is sure the education construction budget won't be smaller when finished in the spring. Ehrlich aides were unavailable for comment yesterday.
In a memo sent to local governments Friday, Stenzler said the committee has recommended $55.8 million in school construction aid statewide, and up to $4 million more may be added based on written appeals. That roughly $60 million compares with $110.4 million in requests approved statewide in December last year.
By contrast, in fiscal year 2001, state school construction funding reached a peak of $356 million. Local governments made initial requests for about $305.9 million for the next budget year, state officials said.
"We've gained 11,000 students in three years. It's a precarious position," said Brian J. Porter, a spokesman for Montgomery County schools - the largest system in Maryland. The county suspended building for a year to combat escalating construction costs, but now, Porter said, "we're hit with the double whammy of rising costs and now lower state aid."
Baltimore asked for $38 million and has approval for $7 million, but Chief Operating Officer Mark D. Smolarz said several projects approved for planning last year have not received construction approval.
Those include renovations at Dunbar High School, and a new Lexington Terrace Elementary and Middle School, combined with a new community center. Unlike wealthier suburban counties that can build schools with local funds and seek state reimbursement later, the state money is vital to city projects.
"If we don't get state funding, I don't see us moving forward," Smolarz said.
For local governments trying to keep up with burgeoning enrollments and renovate older buildings, "there's a lot of anxiety," said Carroll County Superintendent Charles I. Ecker.
"Mount Airy Elementary School is so crowded we put the fifth-graders in the middle school," Ecker said, explaining the need for a new elementary there.
In Carroll County's portion of Mount Airy, which straddles the borders of Carroll, Howard and Frederick counties, Ecker said the existing elementary school will be at more than 140 percent capacity by 2005.
Raymond Prokop, Carroll's director of facilities, said the county is looking for $17 million, $3.5 million of which has been recommended for approval. The county is also trying to get reimbursed for part of the cost of the new Winters Mill High School in Westminster, which is open.
Howard County requested $42 million, but only $3.1 million has been approved, including $2.1 million to help renovate West Friendship Elementary School.
"State funding is absolutely critical," said Sydney L. Cousin, deputy Howard school superintendent. "In the absence of state dollars, one of two things has to happen: The county has to make up the difference or projects end up being [altered]."
Since 1988, the county has built nearly 30 schools. Class size reductions over the past several years have cost more than 2,000 seats, and looming full-day kindergarten is expected to require another 80 classrooms by 2007.
The construction committee has not recommended funding any of Anne Arundel County's four largest construction projects, though of the $18 million request, it approved $5 million for systemic renovations.
"Some of these projects won't be funded if the county has to come up with all the money," said Greg Nourse, assistant school superintendent.
In Baltimore County, the emphasis is on renovating older schools, though a new middle school for the more crowded west side is awaiting approval. Requests for $31.2 million in state funding for 24 projects have produced approval of $1.5 million for four projects - not including a new Windsor Mill Middle School.
"We're in the middle of a five-year, half-billion-dollar renovation and construction program. This is crucial," said Charles A. Herndon, spokesman for Baltimore County schools.
The figure recommended each December typically represents about 75 percent of the total amount available. Maryland's governor, as part of the three-member Board of Public Works, makes final funding decisions after the General Assembly adjourns in April. Last spring, $156.5 million was approved.
Stenzler said the next step in the process will take place Jan. 22 at the annual Board of Public Works meeting in Annapolis, when local officials and legislators ask for a share of the remaining money.
In past years, Republicans have charged that Glendening has used the school construction funding as leverage to get votes during the General Assembly. Democrats have denied that politics influenced where the money is assigned.
If more money becomes available, Stenzler said, requests will be reconsidered. "We are hopeful that the number will go up."