![[photo, State Department of Education Building, 200 Baltimore St., Baltimore, Maryland]](/msa/mdmanual/13sdoe/images/1198-1-422b.jpg)
Subject to Board of Public Work's approval, the Committee supervised and provided funding for public school construction in Maryland (Code Education Article, sec. 5-301). In June 2018, the Committee was replaced by the Interagency Commission on School Construction as authorized by the General Assembly (Chapter 14, Acts of 2018; Code Education Article, secs. 5-301 through 5-321).
The Interagency Commission on School Construction is an independent agency functioning within the State Department of Education. It develops and approves policies, procedures, guidelines, and regulations to ensure that school construction funds are allocated to local jurisdictions fairly, independently, and on the basis of merit.
State Department of Education Building, 200 Baltimore St., Baltimore, Maryland, July 2003. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
The Commission prepares projections of school construction and capital improvement needs, approves projects based on these needs, and provides associated financial aid to the counties and Baltimore City for these projects. The Commission also administers the Aging Schools Program; the Federal School Renovation Program; Minority Business Enterprise; Qualified Zone Academy Bonds; the Recycled Tire Grant Program; Supplemental Appropriation; the Energy Efficiency Initiative; the Security Initiative; and the Air Conditioning Initiative. Further, the Commission is responsible for the Local Share of School Construction Costs Revolving Loan Fund and the School Safety Grant Program (Chapter 14, Acts of 2018).
Since May 2018, first the Committee oversaw and now the Commission administers the Healthy School Facility Fund (Chapter 561, Acts of 2018). Through grants, the Fund is used to meet schools needs, such as air conditioning, heating, indoor air quality, mold remediation, temperature regulation, plumbing, and windows.
The Commission consists of nine members: two are appointed by the Governor; the Senate President and House Speaker each appoint two public members, and three members serve ex officio. The Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker jointly choose the chair. The Executive Director is appointed by the Commission and works under the Commission's direction (Chapter 445, Acts of 2005; Chapter 14, Acts of 2018; Code Education Article, sec. 5-302).
© Copyright Maryland State Archives