MONTGOMERY COUNTY COUNCIL ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND DAWN LUEDTKE COUNCILMEMBER DISTRICT 7 MEMORANDUM To: Members of the Education & Culture Committee From: Councilmember Dawn Luedtke Date: March 13, 2023 Subject: FY23-28 CIP Amendments: MCPS Colleagues, I urge you not to accept the school system’s “non-recommended” reduction to once again delay the much-needed renovation of Damascus High School. Damascus High School (DHS) was built in 1950 and is the oldest MCPS high school that hasn’t had a major renovation. DHS is in urgent need of improvements to aging facilities and to add classroom space. Delaying this project by two additional years - after it was already delayed in the prior six-year CIP and with design work complete enough to begin public meetings on specific project elements - would be a major setback for the Damascus community and send the wrong message that Montgomery County does not prioritize the Upcounty. In addition, the fact that this project was not recommended to be delayed in the County Executive’s proposed capital budget in January but now may be delayed after the Council’s formal public hearing process would further erode the confidence this community has in our County Government to deliver on its commitments. Damascus has waited long enough. I, like you, understand the difficult position the County Executive’s proposed capital budget has put the Council in. Leading up to final budget approval in May, I am committed to work with you and all of our Council colleagues to find the capital budget and CIP capacity necessary to keep the DHS renovation on its current schedule for completion by August 2026. Cc: Essie McGuire, Senior Legislative Analyst 100 MARYLAND AVENUE • ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 20850 240-777-7860 • Councilmember.Luedtke@montgomerycountymd.gov www.montgomerycountymd.gov
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