While residential and commercial construction has slowed down with the economy, school construction in Anne Arundel County is another matter.

The county has almost $462 million of the capital budget allotted for school projects ranging from renovations to revitalization, additions, upgrades and even complete rebuilds. More than 20 schools in the county are currently in some phase of planning or construction.

In two weeks, two elementary schools in north county will reopen after extensive projects. Lake Shore Elementary in Pasadena was extensively renovated while its students spent the past two years at Chesapeake Bay Middle...