JOHN A. OLSZEWSKI, JR.

County Executive

February 6, 2019

The Honorable Larry Hogan
Governor

100 State Circle

Annapolis, Maryland 21401

Dear Governor Hogan:

I Thank you for meeting with me, and thank you for your commitment to investing in
building and renovating public schools. As we discussed and agreed to when we met, I am
pleased to invite you to visit Lansdowne High School with me, so you can see ?rsthand
Baltimore County?s need for more State investments in school construction.

My predecessor set an aggressive timeline for implementing Baltimore County?s Schools
For Our Future (SFOF) program. Through SF OF, Baltimore County has opened eight new
elementary schools, renovated or added on to seven schools, and air conditioned 59 schools. We
have 14 projects left: Four under construction, two approved by the Board of Education, and
eight in planning and design. The ?nal eight projects are anticipated to be construction-ready in
FY2020.

To meet this aggressive timeline, the prior administration committed to forward funding
the State share of many projects. We are proceeding with forward funding the six projects which
are underway, but it would be ?nancially ruinous for the County to forward fund the State share
of the remaining projects. Absent additional State support, eight projects ready for construction
in FY2020 will instead be built over time, beginning in FY2021 and not expected to ?nish until
FY2026.

In addition to needing to ?nish SF OF Baltimore County needs to begin planning high
school projects. Sage Policy Group recently completed a study which outlined capacity and
facilities issues at several of our high schools including Lansdowne.

My sole legislative priority this year is to secure a State commitment 'of $100 million
each year for ?ve years for school construction. Your Building Opportunity Act of 2019 will
help Baltimore County meet the dual challenge of completing SFOF and moving forward on our
high school projects.

Historic Courthouse 400 Washington Avenue Towson, Maryland 21204-4665 Phone 410-887-2450 Fax 410-887-4049
gov

Governor Larry Hogan
February 6, 2019
Page 2 of 2

The citizens of Baltimore County are grateful for the State?s investment in school
construction, and I look forward to hosting you at Lansdowne High School to highlight the need
for an increased State commitment to building and renovating schools. I have asked my of?ce to
follow up to ?nd the earliest available time for a tour on your calendar.

Thank you for your leadership, and I look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,

J?izewski, Jr.

Baltimore County Executive

CC: Honorable Chairs and Members of the Baltimore County Senate and House Delegation
Honorable Chair and Members of the Baltimore County Council
Verletta White, Interim Superintendent, BCPS
Baltimore County Board of Education
Matthew Clark, Governor?s Chief of Staff