The Anne Arundel County Board of Education unanimously approved Superintendent Dr. Mark Bedell’s proposed FY2027 Capital Budget on Wednesday. The grand total comes in at $230,248,721. That’s a boatload of money. But where’s it going? Here’s a breakdown in plain English.
This budget covers building upgrades, safety fixes, two new schools, a few big renovations, and other behind-the-scenes work to keep schools running safely and smoothly.
P.S. Just because the school board approved this budget, doesn’t mean it’ll happen. The County Council now has to look at it and see how much of it they can fund. Last year (FY2026), the board asked for $204.7 million and got $196.6 million.
🧱 Top 10 Capital Projects for FY2027
These are the biggest, broadest, systemwide investments in order of size.
$31.4M — Building System Renovations (aka “Systemics”)
This is stuff like HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and other behind-the-walls stuff.
$8M — Maintenance Backlog Reduction
Fixing stuff that’s been on the to-do list for a while.
$7M — Roof Replacements
$6.5M — New School Bus Facility
$5M — Athletic Stadium Improvements
$2.1M — New School Buses
$2M — Health & Safety
$2M — Sustainability Initiatives
$1.5M — Security Upgrades
$1.5M — Driveway and Parking Lot Improvements
🏫 Major School Construction Projects
These are big, high-cost projects focused on specific schools.
$71.4M — Old Mill High School (new construction)
$48.2M — Old Mill Middle School North (new construction)
$9M — All Day Kindergarten & Pre-K Additions
Feasibility + Design Projects to explore major work at:
Ruth Parker Eason School – $4.6M
Riviera Beach Elementary – $4M
Van Bokkelen Elementary – $4.7M
Glendale Resource Center – $2.8M
🛠 Smaller But Mighty Projects
These don’t make headlines — but they matter for daily student experience:
$1.2M — Upgrades at Various Schools
$1M — Barrier-Free Access
Ensuring schools are physically accessible for all students.
$800K — Relocatable Classrooms
Temporary classrooms (aka trailers) where space is tight.
$650K — New School Furniture
$600K — Asbestos Abatement
$500K — Non-bus Vehicle Replacement
$500K — New Playground Equipment
$400K — Health Room Improvements
$350K — Board of Ed Project and Program Planning
📆 Thinking long-term
This budget is part of a larger 6-year improvement plan. You can see the approved budget as its heading to the County Council (including past and future spending) below.
