Union leaders, school employees and parents used public comment time Sept. 25 to press the Montgomery County Board of Education for faster action on school building conditions, staff payroll problems and full funding of the capital improvements plan.

"MCPS is currently failing its employees," said Pia Morris, president of SEIU Local 500, which represents roughly 10,000 support staff professionals, citing mold, poor ventilation and pay errors that left employees waiting for correct checks. Tamara Kelly, an administrative secretary, said she leaves work with headaches and a cough due to building air quality and that a third‑party assessment of the building condition had not yet been released.

Teacher and union speakers highlighted Carver Educational Center, New Hampshire Estates Elementary, White Oak Middle School and Damascus Elementary as examples of facilities with ongoing mold, HVAC and plumbing issues. White Oak parents and staff said more than 10% of classrooms lacked functioning fire alarms and that windows, PA systems and ventilation were deficient. Damascus parents urged a complete rebuild of Damascus Elementary, built in 1934, noting accessibility failures for students with the most intensive needs.

Several speakers also said some staff experienced delayed and incorrect paychecks earlier in the school year; SEIU representatives said pay errors forced families to miss rent or delay bills. Board members acknowledged those reports and said the administration is aware and working on payroll corrections.

Board members and the superintendent repeatedly said the capital improvements plan (CIP), to be presented in the coming weeks, will be the primary vehicle for addressing deferred maintenance and modernization; MCPS staff said the CIP timeline and budget discussions are imminent. Board member comments also emphasized the need to coordinate with county government agencies on road safety related to a petition about Walk to School Day: Bridget Howe and several commenters urged the district to use influence with transportation agencies to improve pedestrian safety near schools.

Why it matters: Testimony detailed operational hazards (mold, poor ventilation, nonfunctional alarms) and access problems for students with disabilities, which both affect daily instruction and staff health. Support staff also raised payroll errors that produced immediate financial hardship. The public comments set expectations that the upcoming CIP and district contracting/payroll fixes should address these issues.