More than $100 million in new construction projects are being completed this summer in preparation for the 1999-2000 school year for the Montgomery County Public Schools, including a high school modernization, two new middle schools, three elementary school modernizations, four classroom additions, and the restoration of two closed facilities for reopening.

In addition, more than 230 other capital improvements and maintenance projects totaling more than $8 million are underway in schools throughout the county including new roofs, technology wiring, relocatable classroom moves, air conditioning, flooring replacements, new chalkboards, tennis court renovations, exterior walk repairs, field renovations, locker replacements, new bleachers, and more.

The construction schedule for the next three months represents one of the most ambitious capital improvement efforts in the school system's history, topping even last summer when the school system opened three new high school buildings at one time. All of the projects represent years of planning and development and, in the case of the larger facilities, at least two years of actual on-site construction work.

In addition to the construction being completed for the new school year, work is underway to relocate one high school, one middle school, and two elementary schools to holding facilities for modernization projects beginning this summer. New construction projects are also underway to modernize a second high school and enlarge a third.

The following is a listing of the major construction projects:

John F. Kennedy High School Modernization

John F. Kennedy High School is being modernized for a capacity of 1,620 students. The school has been housed at the Northwood Center since September 1997.

Takoma Park Middle School Replacement Building

A 900-student capacity replacement facility is under construction for Takoma Park Middle School. The school has been housed at the Tilden Center since September 1997.

Forest Oak Replacement Facility

A new 1,000-student capacity middle school is under construction for the Gaithersburg cluster. The students who will attend this school have been housed at the Forest Oak Middle School facility on Midcounty Highway. Forest Oak Middle School will move to the new building this September, and the vacated facility, which was recently renamed Shady Grove Middle School, will become part of the Col. Zadok Magruder cluster.

Silver Spring International Middle School/Sligo Creek Elementary School

The Wayne Avenue facility that previously housed Montgomery Blair High School is being reopened as a combined middle/elementary school complex. Silver Spring International Middle School will have a capacity of 1,094 students and will open the year with 631 students in Grades 6 and 7 only. Sligo Creek Elementary School will have a capacity of 683 students.

North Bethesda Middle School

The former North Bethesda Junior High School facility is being reopened as North Bethesda Middle School with a capacity of 750 students. North Bethesda Middle School will house approximately 434 students in Grades 6 and 7 only during the 1999-2000 school year.

Bethesda Elementary School Modernization

Bethesda Elementary School is being modernized for a capacity of 438 students. The school has been housed at the Radnor Center during the 1998-99 school year.

Harmony Hills Elementary School Modernization

Harmony Hills Elementary School is being modernized for a capacity of 550 students. The school has been housed at the North Lake Center during the 1998-99 school year.

Rock View Elementary School Modernization

Rock View Elementary School is being modernized for a capacity of 541 students. The school has been housed at the Grosvenor Center during the 1998-99 school year.

Westover/Lucy V. Barnsley Elementary Schools Gym Additions

The gym at Lucy V. Barnsley Elementary School has been completed. Westover Elementary School's gym will be completed by July 1.

Walt Whitman High School Classroom Addition

Work is underway to convert space in Walt Whitman High School for four additional classrooms. This work will be completed by July 1 and will increase the student capacity from 1,678 to 1,768.

Watkins Mill High School Addition

A four classroom addition is under construction at Watkins Mill High School. This work will be completed by August 1 and will increase the student capacity from 1,778 to 1,868.