NOTTINGHAM, MD—In 2020, leaders in the State Senate linked the Built to Learn Act – funding school construction – with the Kirwan legislation, which Governor Hogan vetoed.
As a result, state funding for new schools was delayed by another year.
With this week’s override of the Governor’s veto, funding will now be available for the new northeastern elementary and middle schools, as well as the expansion at Pine Grove Middle School.
Baltimore County Councilman David Marks said he was appreciative for the state funding, although it was delayed by two years.
“The county funding for these schools has been in place since 2019,” said Councilman Marks. “Make no mistake – the Built to Learn Act should have been passed when originally proposed. We missed a golden opportunity to build schools over the past two years.”
While the Governor and many state legislators disagreed on Kirwan, there was broad bipartisan support for Built to Learn.
Construction now advances on the new northeastern elementary and middle schools, as well as the expansion at Pine Grove Middle School.
The long-term high school construction plan is being finalized, with extensive
opportunities for community input this spring.
“Passage of the Built to Learn Act was one of the Board’s legislative priorities for 2021,” added Baltimore County Board of Education member Julie Henn. “Our students need safe, high-quality school facilities to learn and it is our duty to provide them. We rely on legislators to secure funding to help us do so. I am thankful that these projects will now be able to advance.”
