WUSA9: Montgomery Co. Public Schools loses out on $39M in funding due to a submission error

The multi-million-dollar loss was due to an error in the Montgomery County Public Schools submission for aid in the Charles W. Woodward Project.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. — Montgomery County Public Schools has lost more than $39 million in funding due to a submission error, according to a letter from Superintendent Dr. Thomas Taylor.

The 288-page letter outlines a recommended capital budget for Fiscal Year 2026 and includes suggestions on how the district can make up for the huge loss in state aid...

...Janis Sartucci, a member of Parents’ Coalition of Montgomery County wants to know how an almost 40-million-dollar mistake slipped through the cracks.

“There are multiple steps and lots of people involved in approving these construction contracts. This isn’t just someone making a minor error. And, who suffers? The community, schools, this 17 million could be going to other needs in our system.” Sartucci, said...

MCPS loses out on $39M in funding due to a submission error | wusa9.com

@mcps Chief of Staff Essie McGuire Approved a Woodward HS Contract using Non-Prevailing Wages in 2021

 

In 2021, Essie McGuire was the MCPS Associate Superintendent of Operations.  In that capacity she reviewed the Award of Contract for the Project Site Work at the Woodward High School site.  

The Resolution submitted to the Montgomery County Board of Education was brief, but clearly stated that the "project was bid to include both prevailing and non-prevailing wages." 

Using non-prevailing wages means the contracts would not be complying with Maryland procurement law.  

Woodward High School's project was attempting to use Maryland's Built to Learn (BTL) funding.  The BTL funding information sheet makes clear that complying with Maryland's prevailing wage law is required. 

EM approved this Resolution for presentation to the Board of Education.  In 2021, EM was Essie McGuire, MCPS Associate Superintendent for Operations.

Today, Essie McGuire has been hired back by Superintendent Thomas Taylor to work as MCPS' current Chief of Staff.