Montgomery County Councilmember and county executive candidate Evan Glass has called on the Montgomery County Board of Education to provide more equitable opportunities for public participation in the upcoming FY 2027–2032 Capital Improvements Program (CIP).
In a letter sent on November 5 to Board of Education President Julie Yang, Glass expressed concern that the current CIP timeline gives residents too little time to review proposals and prepare testimony on major school construction and renovation decisions.
Glass acknowledged that Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) has improved transparency and cost forecasting in recent budget cycles, but argued that “the current timeline for public comment limits meaningful and inclusive community engagement.”
He cited the October 13 presentation by Superintendent Dr. Thomas Taylor, which included several major recommendations, such as the removal of capital projects at Magruder and Wootton High Schools, closure of Silver Spring International Middle School, and relocation of Sligo Creek Elementary. Just three days later, the Board discussed additional boundary and facilities ideas, including using Crown High School as a temporary “holding school” during renovations at other high schools.
According to Glass, residents had only a few days to register to testify at public hearings following these announcements, six days before the first hearing and nine days before the second. “Not enough time was given for people to learn about the CIP, digest the recommendations, and prepare public testimony,” he wrote, noting that the tight schedule likely discouraged many community members from participating.
Glass contrasted the Board’s timeline with the County Council’s process, which provides at least fourteen days’ notice for public hearings and allows registration up to one day before testimony. He urged the Board to “add an additional public hearing on the CIP and revise the testimony timeline for future hearings” to ensure equitable engagement across the county.
The letter was copied to all Board of Education members, Student Member Anuva Maloo, and Superintendent Taylor. When releasing the letter on social media, Glass also posted on social media about the broader challenges facing MCPS’s school infrastructure, noting that “the average age of our school buildings is nearly 30 years old — and it shows.” He added, “When pipes burst, roofs leak, or mold grows behind the walls, it’s our students, teachers, and staff who feel the impact every single day. They deserve to have a voice in how we maintain and improve their schools.”
Glass, who chairs the County Council’s Transportation and Environment Committee and serves on the Economic Development Committee, has made school infrastructure and community transparency central themes of his platform ahead of the 2026 county executive race.
