ANNAPOLIS – Comptroller Peter Franchot announced Wednesday that his office is accepting nominations from public school superintendents throughout the state for the Silver Hammer Award through Feb. 15, 2016. Established in 2010 to recognize schools for money-saving initiatives and superior maintenance, the award is presented in each of Maryland’s 23 counties and Baltimore City. Maryland educators and residents may nominate a school in their district that has shown the greatest improvement over the last year. “In these challenging economic times, we simply lack the money to meet all new construction priorities,” said Comptroller Peter Franchot. “The Silver Hammer Award recognizes those schools that go above and beyond to keep our children safe in well-maintained older buildings and to ensure that they have the same positive learning experience as their counterparts in newer schools.” As a member of the Board of Public Works, which approves the state’s annual Public School Construction Program, Comptroller Franchot is proud of the state’s unprecedented capital investments in education. On his visits to public schools, he has seen many examples of effective maintenance. “A fresh coat of paint, new carpeting, a re-purposed room makes a big difference in the educational experience for students and educators and demonstrates a sense of pride and commitment to the community,” the Comptroller said. “Research has shown the positive impact a clean, attractive and comfortable school setting has on student performance.” Comptroller Franchot will present the award to recipients staring in the spring. Nomination forms must be received by Feb. 15, 2016.