1/22/26: Superintendent Taylor Finds $441,380 to spend on Commercial Office and Warehouse Space

On Thursday, January 22, 2026, the Montgomery County Board of Education will meet for their once a month business meeting.  Up until last year, the Board of Education held two business meetings a month.  

At the January 22nd meeting the Board's Consent Agenda will include an item authorizing Superintendent Thomas W. Taylor to spend $441,380 on an architectural firm to design the commercial warehouse and office space he apparently leased in November of 2025. 

The Resolution to authorize the spending of $441,380 on an architecture firm lists a "WHEREAS clause" that states that "Funds for architectural planning of the project were approved in the FY 2024 Capital Budget and the FY 2023-2028 Capital Improvements Program."

In that Capital Budget, $2,500,000 was approved to "fit out the new leased warehouse."  However, the cost to "fit out" the leased MCPS Commercial and Office space at 750 Progress Way has already been stated to be $13,000,000. 

What is the definition of "fit out?"  

Montgomery County Public Schools FY 2024 Capital Budget and Amended FY 2023-2028 Capital Improvements Program page 198. 

The Board of Education's Consent Agenda is for items that are grouped together for a single vote that are projected to be approved by a unanimous vote.  

We do not expect the Board of Education to question this additional expenditure for the surprise leased MCPS commercial office and warehouse space. 

It's only $441,380 of education funding.  There aren't any other needs in MCPS classrooms, correct? 

 

Montgomery County Public Schools, Maryland by Parents' Coalition of Montgomery County, Maryland