Draft FY26 capital improvement plan shows slowdown after IAC funding shortfall; Bradford project maintained
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Summary
District staff said a roughly $6 million shortfall from the Interagency Commission on School Construction (IAC) slowed several projects in the FY26 CIP draft; Bradford project scope will not change and the district plans to bridge timing through fund balance with anticipated IAC reimbursement.
District staff presented the draft FY26 Capital Improvement Plan at the Sept. 9 meeting and told the board the district is experiencing a slowdown in projects tied to lower‑than‑expected awards from the Interagency Commission on School Construction (IAC).
Assistant/Facilities staff (presenter identified in the packet as Mister Webb and Mr. Witt in discussion) said the district expected more IAC funds for FY26 and that the shortfall — described in the meeting as roughly $6,000,000 — required reprioritizing the CIP timeline. Staff said they did not want to change the scope of the Bradford project because it is already underway and that the district will use local fund balance to pay part of the project now, with the plan to repay the fund balance when future IAC funds arrive.
Staff said other projects were slowed or re‑timed as a result of the IAC award gap; specifically, planned healthy schools roofing funding for Accident and Friendsville did not come through this round and staff proposed holding the Friendsville roofing project until a later renovation so the work could be coordinated. Staff said they are pursuing additional funding opportunities including the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and the Maryland Energy Administration for electrification projects.
The CIP was introduced as a draft and will return as an action item next month. Staff invited board members and the public to submit questions; a board member noted a forthcoming site tour of Bradford School prior to the Sept. 29 audit meeting when the solar project will be discussed.
