Built to Learn Act

Inspired by the success of the 21st Century School Buildings Program in Baltimore, The Built to Learn Act (BTL) (click here) authorized the MSA to issue up to $2.2 billion in debt for the construction of public school facilities throughout the state. Program projects are submitted by Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to the Interagency Commission on School Construction (IAC) (click here)for approval, and funds are allocated to counties based on statutory percentages with a matching requirement.

Currently, the MSA has issued $1.131 billion in debt supported by the Educational Trust Fund, with the next issuance anticipated in Summer 2026. MSA’s role on individual school projects vary from an administrative oversight of LEA managed projects to direct MSA contract management and project administration.

To date, MSA has negotiated 20 memoranda of understanding (MOU) encompassing 52 school projects with LEAs at a total value of $3.608 billion. LEAs with MOUs are listed below:

Anne Arundel, Allegany, Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard, Kent, Montgomery, St. Mary’s, Talbot, Washington, Wicomico, and Worcester counties.