April 28, 2025 Staff and Community Update: Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget Update
Dear Team BCPS—
I am writing to provide additional information regarding the Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget process. As outlined in an April 11 message to Team BCPS, County Executive Klausmeier’s FY26 budget proposal included a 3.5 percentage increase above Maintenance of Effort (MOE) for Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS). The County Executive’s proposed budget will now be reviewed by the Baltimore County Council, and they will approve a final budget for the county and BCPS on May 22. It is important to note that the Council can only vote to cut additional items from the proposed budget, they cannot add funding to the budget. The budget team has provided an updated comparison table with accurate numbers to ensure that Team BCPS has correct information regarding the budget.
This uncertain fiscal landscape requires difficult decision making. While multiple indicators demonstrate improved achievement for BCPS students, reversing a decade of decline requires an unwavering commitment to student success and prioritizing resources closest to schools. Prior to the County Executive’s budget release, and in anticipation of a projected budget shortfall, BCPS worked to further reduce costs and identify additional revenue sources. BCPS fiscal staff and I worked closely with the County Executive and her budget team to identify contingencies including:
- Eliminating additional supervisory central office positions.
- Extending our hiring freeze for all central office and non-school-based positions.
- Reducing funding for supplies and materials by 24 percent ($14 million).
- Implementing additional cuts to division and department budgets.
Due to the current fiscal reality, BCPS will reopen negotiations for compensation increases with all five union bargaining units as provided for in master agreements. Additionally, over the next several weeks, I will work closely with members of the County Council to discuss the impact of the proposed budget and continue to advocate for Team BCPS and the resources we need to continue our forward progress.
The Council will hold a public hearing on the budget April 29. State and local budget numbers are projected to be finalized in May. We will continue to provide updates to Team BCPS as more information becomes available.
Thank you for your continued support as we navigate this challenging budget cycle.
Regards,
Dr. Myriam Rogers
Superintendent