MCPS begins FY27 0‑based operating budget process; staffing standards review to start Sept. 29

Montgomery County Public Schools staff told the Fiscal Management Committee the district is conducting a 0‑based review of the FY27 operating budget and will reconvene staffing‑standards work groups to reexamine school allocations across elementary, middle and high school levels. CFO Yvonne Alfonso Windsor said offices must justify each position and expense as part of the 0‑based process. "We are asking the offices to really evaluate their expenses, their personnel, and justify every single one of them," she said. Staff submissions are due by the end of the month and the superintendent will release his proposed FY27 operating budget in December. The district scheduled a staffing‑standards work group kickoff for Sept. 29 led by Deputy Chief of Finance Allen Francois; the effort will evaluate allocations for classroom teachers, special education supports, security, maintenance and other positions and will include principals, association representatives and central office staff. Windsor said the review may be multi‑year and that staffing allocations for schools are re‑established each year from enrollment and other data. Board members asked whether the 0‑based review applies differently to schools versus central offices. Windsor said schools effectively start from zero each year because positions are driven by enrollment projections, while central office lines are being reexamined with fresh benchmarking and inter‑office collaboration. The board will receive updates on staffing work groups in December, before the superintendent’s budget release. No board action was taken at the meeting; staff said the FY27 process is underway and invited board questions as offices finalize submissions.