State Legislators Provide Funds for County Schools, Projects

The Maryland General Assembly ends its session on midnight Monday, and Montgomery County officials are anxiously awaiting to learn which of many bills will be signed by the governor and become law.

As it currently stands, the county will receive $1.1 billion in direct state aid to support Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), according to Council President Andrew Friedson.

Money also was set aside in the budget to stave off formerly proposed transportation cuts that would have caused $17 million in reductions to the Ride On bus system.

The county also will receive about $120 million in capital funds of which $57 million will be used for public schools, including an upgrade of Gaithersburg Middle School and the building of Crown High School in Gaithersburg. Also included is $220,000 to support disabilities access at the new Diener school building on Old Georgetown Road.

Another $7.7 million in funding will be used by the park and recreation department. Other funding includes money for affordable housing and an additional entrance to the North Bethesda Metro.

Funds will cover some of the costs to renovate Holiday Park Senior Center in Silver Spring, partially demolish and modify the Montgomery County Detention Center and renovate the Rockville Library.

About $600,000 million is designated for a major renovation to the University of Maryland Institute for Health Computing in North Bethesda.

State Sen. Cheryl Kagan announced that she helped gain $750,000 for Identity, Inc., $200,000 for Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg, $150,000 for EveryMind, $100,000 for David Scull Park in the City of Rockville and $90,000 for the Rainbow Place Shelter.

According to Del. Marc Korman, funds also are designated for the Town of Glen Echo toward its stormwater restoration project and Merrimac Neighborhood Park’s efforts to refresh.

 

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