October 5, 2020

Media Contact:

Scott Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 202-277-9412

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Today, County Executive Calvin Ball announced the execution of an agreement of sale to purchase land for the future elementary school site in the Turf Valley development. This agreement marks the end of years of effort to secure land to create sorely needed school capacity in the area. With this purchase, the County will invest $5.75 million to secure 10 acres of land for the construction of the County’s 45th elementary school. The execution of the agreement of sale at Turf Valley follows the September 24th pre-filing of legislation to approve an installment purchase agreement that will finance the acquisition of land for the new elementary school.

“All our students and educators deserve the best teaching and learning environment to thrive, which is why school construction has been one of my top priorities,” said Ball. “The need for an elementary school in Turf Valley was identified in 2015, and the intent to purchase this land was announced in 2017. Today, we will finally execute this agreement and build on our substantial investment in critical school construction projects.”

In 2016, the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) requested that the County assess the viability of purchasing property at Turf Valley. In 2017, the County announced its intent to purchase property at Turf Valley. 

Ball has invested significantly in school capital project efforts since taking office. In the FY21 budget, he designated $68.7 million in school capital projects, the largest single-year investment in school construction in 14 years. The budget includes funding to keep HCPSS’s top three priority projects on schedule: 

  • $21.5 million to support the renovation and addition at Hammond High School, 
  • $15.1 million to support replacement of Talbott Springs Elementary School, and  
  • $11.3 million to support the construction of a new High School #13.  

“Thank you to the county government for negotiating the purchase of the site and continuing to be a valued partner as we support long-term student enrollment growth and the projected development in Ellicott City,” said Dr. Michael J. Martirano, HCPSS Superintendent. “This property will be added to our land bank, enabling us to build a new elementary school in the future that meets our community’s needs, including parking, playing fields, and accommodations for community use.”

“Howard County continues to be the fastest growing county in Maryland, resulting in upwards of 1,000 new students each year.” said Mavis Ellis, Board of Education Chair. “The Turf Valley

area continues to experience steady growth, so I appreciate the collaborative efforts of our county government partners to secure this land for future use.”

“The northern region is the most overcrowded in the county, so we desperately need this new elementary school,” said David Yungmann, District 5 Councilmember. “I’m relieved that the Board of Education has finally taken action to secure the property and commend the County Executive for sustaining the financial commitment needed to advance the project.”

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