February 26, 2025 Staff and Community Update: Board of Education Approves $2.98 Billion Operating Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2026
Dear Team BCPS—
Last night, the Board of Education voted to approve a $2.98 billion budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. The approved budget request includes a $126.4 million increase over the current general fund budget to address the significant needs of our 110,000 students and support the recruitment and retention of Team BCPS staff. The budget request also includes specific investments to support ongoing efforts to improve outcomes in English Language Arts (ELA), mathematics, English Language Development (formerly English for Speakers of Other Languages), and special education. Additional highlights of the Board’s approved budget request include –
- Increasing the number of special education teachers, paraeducators, and additional adult assistants.
- Preserving current class size staffing allocations across all grade levels.
- Expanding full-day prekindergarten classes.
- Prioritizing and maximizing infrastructure efficiencies and cybersecurity.
I want to thank the Board for their comprehensive review of the proposed budget. Over the past several months, Board members have fully engaged in the budget process, and I know they carefully weighed the growing needs of our system and ultimately voted to approve a budget request that will sustain our positive momentum as we work to strengthen student achievement.
Now, the work continues with our county partners. As I previously shared, we are amid an exceptionally difficult budget landscape for both the county and state. What we had anticipated to be a more favorable budget season has quickly proven to be even more complex than FY 2025. The county executive has indicated her commitment to supporting our school system, despite the uncertainties about state and local funding, as we strive to provide a world-class education for all students. Our budget teams are working closely together to develop innovative solutions to ensure maximum funding for our students and our 176 schools, programs and centers. Any potential changes to the budget request that may have an impact on compensation, staffing allocations, or other significant areas of operations will be presented to the Board of Education. The County Executive will present her recommended FY 2026 Operating Budget to the County Council in April. The County Council will then have an opportunity to review the proposed budget for BCPS and make a final determination.
I encourage you to stay engaged in this process. The County Executive is hosting budget town hall meetings where Team BCPS families can provide input into the budget planning process and share why a fully funded budget will help BCPS fast forward.
Thank you for your support.
Regards,
Dr. Myriam Rogers
Superintendent
Resources
Watch Dr. Rogers’ Presentation
Operating Budget
Budget 101