Capital Improvements in MCPS: Students Push for Equity

November 27, 2025 | Maria Caballero

Recently, Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) has been facing various challenges with poor infrastructure in buildings and overcrowded classrooms. In November of 2025, after months of testimony from students and families about broken HVAC systems, plumbing problems, and crowded bathrooms, the Board of Education approved a $2.7 billion, six-year Capital Improvements Program (CIP) to renovate and expand schools across the county. The plan outlines many modernization projects, including new classroom wings, HVAC replacements, and plumbing upgrades. One of the main things it also prioritizes is capacity relief in fast-growing areas. It hopes to reduce overcrowding by adding seats at secondary schools and expanding elementary facilities. 

MCPS Board of Education president Julie Yang emphasized the importance of the vote, stating, “Every person here cares deeply about their school and their children…Even when resources are limited, our values are not. What we do today is not about choosing winners and losers.” Yang’s statement highlights the impact this new plan will have on communities across the county, and MCPS’s commitment to its residents. 

Wootton High School was among the first schools to experience serious issues, with parents and students reporting unsafe conditions in plumbing and HVAC systems. A parent testified, “We cannot continue to send our children into buildings that are unsafe and outdated.” And this is not a solo event. Similar stories came from Richard Montgomery, Poolesville, and Quince Orchard, where students reported broken air conditioning, overcrowded bathrooms, and construction disruptions that have made it harder to focus and concentrate in class. 

Even though the CIP includes widely supported proposals, it also consists of controversial ones, such as possibly closing Silvery Spring International Middle School and relocating Sligo Creek Elementary. Superintendent Thomas Taylor did, however, acknowledge how difficult these decisions are, calling them “a significant and very emotional part” of the plan. This just goes to show how complicated it is to balance modernization with community needs. 

For students, fairness is more important in this dispute than new construction. As one student testified, “Infrastructure inequities mean some schools have safe, modern environments while others struggle with basic needs. That gap impacts learning every single day.” This is supported by the Student Infrastructure Equity Report, which demonstrates the pervasiveness of plumbing, HVAC, and crowding issues. 

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The County Executive and County Council will now review the CIP. Final decisions are anticipated in the spring of 2026. Students are aware that the work is still unfinished, and continued advocacy will help ensure that MCPS meets its commitment to safe, equitable, and future-ready schools. 

Timelines for construction and renovation projects over the next few years will vary depending on the school and project type, as well as whether the CIP is approved. In addition to funding allocations, state-level support, community input, and contractor coordination will all be necessary for implementation. Families and educators will be keeping a close eye on how priorities are implemented throughout the county as the review process proceeds. 

Works Cited

Campbell, Ashlyn. "School Board to Vote Thursday Night on Proposed $2.7 Billion Capital Improvements Program." Bethesda Magazine, 20 Nov. 2025,

bethesdamagazine.com/2025/11/20/mcps-where-everything-stands/. Accessed 23 Nov. 2025.

MCPS Staff. "MCPS: Board of Education Advances Major Capital Recommendation to Modernize Schools and Address Long-Standing Facility Needs." Moco Show, 20 Nov. 2025, mocoshow.com/2025/11/20/mcps-board-of-education-advances-major-capital-recommendation-to-modernize-schools-and-address-long-standing-facility-needs/. Accessed 23 Nov. 2025.

Ryan, Kate. "Parents Cite Frustration with Montgomery County Schools' Plans for Renovations." Wtop News, 22 Nov. 2025, wtop.com/montgomery-county/2025/11/parents-cite-frustration-with-mcps-plans-for-school-renovations/. Accessed 23 Nov. 2025.

Written by Maria Caballero (MCR-SGA Press Deputy)

Published by the MCR-SGA Communications Department