This week, County Executive Jessica Fitzwater presented a three-step plan to address the growing school overcrowding in Frederick County. The plan adds new capacity sooner than anticipated, creates extra space at the most overcrowded school, and adds more sites for future schools.
“School construction has been a priority for my administration – and for me personally – since my first day in office,” County Executive Fitzwater said. “I spent 17 years as a classroom teacher, so I understand firsthand the challenges students, educators, and families face when school buildings are overcrowded. By working with our partners at the State and FCPS, we are finding creative solutions to solve school overcrowding created by growth approved a decade ago.”
FCPS Superintendent Dr. Cheryl L. Dyson and Board of Education President Karen Yoho endorsed the County Executive’s plan, which includes:
$3 Million for School Design
The County Executive will submit a $3 million supplemental budget request to design Elementary School #41, easing overcrowding at Oakdale Elementary School sooner than expected. By starting the design work now, the school could open in August 2027, a year sooner than planned.
Building a school requires shared responsibility between the State and the County. The Board of Education prioritizes the order of school construction.
Their top priority this year was a new elementary school, Elementary School #41. Although the State Interagency Commission on School Construction approved the school’s location, they did not approve any funding or give local planning approval this year. Local planning approval indicates the State’s commitment to sharing the construction costs.
“Frederick County can no longer wait for the State. Oakdale Elementary School is projected to be over 170 percent of its capacity when it opens later this year,” the County Executive said. “I have a plan to lessen the impact of school overcrowding and new residential growth.”
The supplemental budget request requires County Council approval. According to County Executive Fitzwater, 100 percent of the funds will come from school mitigation fees already paid by developers to the County.
Temporary Facilities at Oakdale Elementary
Adjacent to Oakdale, land designated for a future library can serve as field space for students over the next few years until the completion of Elementary School #41. This arrangement allows FCPS to repurpose land next to the main building for additional indoor space for core uses like a cafeteria or gymnasium and ensures that the library will still open on schedule.
Acquiring Land for Future Schools
Frederick County acquired nearly 20 acres for a new school site, funded entirely by developer fees, not taxpayers. As part of their approval conditions, two other developments will donate land for school sites: one for a middle school and another for an elementary school.