by Nicholas Jones ‘28

MCPS is struggling with whether it fully funds its operating budget for the next school year. One major issue is the loss of about $8.6 million in federal funding. In addition, MCPS is dealing with a backup of needed construction and repairs to school buildings and declining enrollment. Despite the budgetary pressures, Superintendent Thomas Taylor has proposed a $3.775 billion Operating Budget for FY 2027, representing a five-percent increase over FY 2026 to support academic restoration, teacher staffing, and school security. That requested increase totals $180 million.

The programs that would be impacted by the loss of federal funding include the Stronger Connections Grant and Federal Title II. These programs have assisted the county in funding for communication platforms and consulting teachers. Without this funding, MCPS would have reduced funding for the number of people who consult new and underperforming teachers. In addition to these programs no longer being active, some other programs are going to receive sharp cuts that would impact the number of students who get the help they need.

One of the biggest issues that MCPS has to tackle in the near and far future is the age and disrepair of many school buildings. Separate from its annual operating budget, MCPS has a five-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), and Taylor introduced a $2.7 billion CIP request for Fiscal Years 2027–2032 while describing the district’s aging infrastructure as having been maintained by “chewing gum and duct tape.” The $2.7 billion is an $850-million increase over the previous five-year CIP.. County Executive Marc Elrich acknowledged the proposal but said that he is not fully funding the request, noting “they know we don’t have that kind of money.”

The proposed operating budget for next year prioritizes mathematics and literacy, staffing, special education support, and facility maintenance. The budget has gone through multiple hearings and work sessions from December through January. Some of these meetings include or will include public hearings that allow the public to give feedback on the budget and voice their opinions. The budget is expected to be finalized around the end of the school year on June 25, when the County Council votes whether to approve it.