For Immediate Release: Tuesday, April 6, 2021
Committees to review Montgomery County Public Schools Capital Improvements Program and receive a briefing from SB & Company
The Education and Culture Committee (E&C) will meet on Wednesday, April 7 at 9:30 a.m. to discuss the Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Capital Improvements Program (CIP), and the Audit Committee will meet at 1:30 p.m. to receive a briefing from SB & Company.
The members of the E&C Committee include Chair Craig Rice and Councilmembers Will Jawando (Lead for Libraries) and Nancy Navarro.
The members of the Audit Committee include Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee Chair Nancy Navarro, Council President Tom Hucker, Vice President Gabe Albornoz, Councilmember Andrew Friedson and Councilmember Sidney Katz.
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Capital Improvements Program (CIP)
Discussion: The E&C Committee will discuss the FY21-26 amended CIP for MCPS. The discussion will cover a requested package of non-recommended reductions to proposed expenditures. State aid for school construction will be a key element of the discussion, as the State’s actions each year can affect the degree of changes required in the CIP.
The Board of Education's FY21-26 amendment request totals $1.732 billion, which is $3.7 million more than the approved FY21-26 CIP. The County Executive recommends $1.61 billion in six-year expenditures, which is $117.3 million less than the original approved FY21-26 CIP and $121 million less than the Board's request. Large technical adjustments comprise $68.4 million of the Executive’s recommended reduction to reflect actual project expenditures.
Those expected to provide information include Brenda Wolff, president, Board of Education, Dr. Jack Smith, superintendent of schools, Dr. Monifa McKnight, deputy superintendent and other MCPS and Office of Management and Budget staff.
Briefing: The Audit Committee will receive a briefing from SB & Company (SB) on the audit of the financial statements for the County Government and two reports summarizing the findings.
Discussion: The Committee will also review a contract amendment to extend SB & Company’s contract for an additional year. The current contract expires on July 13, 2021 and the contractor’s services are needed to conduct the fiscal year 2021 audit.
SB & Company also audited the financial statements of the Montgomery County Employee Retirement Plans, the financial statements of the Montgomery County Consolidated Retiree Health Benefits Trust, and other audit work.
Those expected to provide information include Graylin Smith, managing partner, SB & Company and company staff. Michael Coveyou, director, Montgomery County Department of Finance and Linda Herman, executive director, Montgomery County Employee Retirement Plans, will also be in attendance with staff from their respective departments.
The Committee meeting schedule may change from time to time. The current Council and Committee agendas, Council staff reports and additional information on items scheduled for Council review can be viewed at: http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/COUNCIL/ondemand/index.html.
On the guidance of Health Officer and Chief of Public Health Services Dr. Travis Gayles, there is currently no public access to the Council Office Building. The virtual Council meeting will be streamed live on the Council’s web page via YouTube and on Facebook Live and can be watched on County Cable Montgomery on Xfinity/RCN 6 HD 996/1056, Fios 30, and on the CCM live stream.
Release ID: 21-139