The Board of Education (BOE) unanimously approved a $1.83 billion budget Nov. 26 that will ease overcrowding caused by years of rapid enrollment growth and address aging facilities, according to the Nov. 29 update on the MCPS news site.

With almost 200 schools and 161,936 students, MCPS plans to build and reopen more elementary, middle and high schools over the next six years to accommodate the growing population. Since 2007, MCPS has added 24,000 students to the school system.

Superintendent Jack R. Smith’s approved budget includes over 30 building projects that would include building a new elementary school in the Richard Montgomery cluster.

Some of the projects include additions to two new high schools, opening one high school, and reopening another school, according to the Board of Education’s Resolution, released Nov. 27.

MCPS is also currently in the process of renovating Seneca Valley HS, Tilden MS, along with Luxmanor, Maryvale and Potomac elementary schools.