We're not the only ones feeling the growing pains...

Montgomery schools see enrollment jump of 3,000 students

Starr says he will try to restore construction projects that were cut

The Gazette

by Lindsay A. Powers    

October 15, 2014

 

Montgomery County Public Schools gained another 2,941 students this school year, according to preliminary numbers discussed at the county school board’s Tuesday meeting.

That figure moves the system’s total enrollment to 154,230 students, Bruce Crispell, director of the school system’s Division of Long-range Planning told the board.

Final enrollment numbers will be released at the end of the month.

By 2020, the system’s enrollment is projected to hit more than 165,000 students, Crispell said. Even with added space from currently approved construction projects, he said, the system expects its schools to face significant overcapacity.

Superintendent Joshua P. Starr said at the meeting that, after construction projects the school board requested last year were delayed due to a lack of funding, he aims to restore the project schedule as much as possible. Starr will make his recommendations for amendments to the system’s Capital Improvements Program budget on Oct. 28.

The school system needs to make its capital needs “very clear” and push for legislation at the state level, Starr said. He referenced lawmakers’ unsuccessful efforts in the General Assembly’s last legislative session to direct more construction money to schools.

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