Weast to scrap modernization schedule - hire consultants

Another surprise for the Board of Education tucked into Chapter 3 (page 3-7) of the newly released MCPS Capital Improvement Program budget, Superintendent Weast wants to rescind the Board's Moderization Policy and hire "consultants" to create a new list of schools to be modernized. 

Who would these "consultants" be? More retired and re-hired MCPS employees? How would they make their decisions, dart boards?

Funny how Superintendent Weast has the whole year to bring these issues to the Board table but doesn't manage to find the time. Why would something this important be a surprise addition to the long range capital planning budget?

...In order to continue with the modernizations program, schools that were built or renovated before 1985 need to be assessed for modernization. The FACT assessment tool will need to be reviewed and updated to reflect current building codes and educational program needs for schools. Staff from the Department of Facilities Management will update the FACT assessment tool and provide opportunity for community review and comment beginning in January 2010. Concurrent with the review of the FACT tool, the superintendent is recommending rescinding the Modernization Policy (FKB) and incorporating modernization provisions in the Long-range Educational Facilities Planning Policy and Regulation (FAA and FAA-RA).


Following the update of the FACT assessment tool, the next round of schools will be assessed for modernization by consultants. An FY 2011 appropriation is recommended for facility planning funds to conduct the assessments. It is anticipated that the new queue of schools will be published as part of the FY 2013–2018 CIP in the fall of 2011...