Montgomery County Public Schools staff told the Fiscal Management Committee on Sept. 17 that the district has begun building the fiscal 2027 operating budget using a 0‑based approach that asks offices to justify positions and expenses. Yvonne Alfonso Windsor, chief financial officer, said offices are preparing submissions this month and that the superintendent will release a proposed FY27 operating budget in December 2025.

Staffing standards work group: Alfonso Windsor said the district will kick off a staffing‑standards work group on Sept. 29 to review allocations across elementary, middle and high school levels. Deputy chief of finance Allen Francois will lead the sessions with principals, teachers, supporting staff and association representatives. The work is meant to refresh long‑standing staffing allocations (administrative, maintenance, special education, classroom teachers and other positions) and align allocations with current enrollment and program needs.

Why it matters: The 0‑based process is intended to ensure the district evaluates recurring costs and staffing positions against requirements and priorities rather than automatically rolling prior levels forward. Alfonso Windsor told the committee that school staffing allocations are already recalculated annually based on enrollment projections but that the broader staffing standards review will examine central‑office and school allocations with a fresh lens.

Timeline and next steps: Budget submissions are due at the end of September; the district will convene a budget advisory committee with stakeholders in October and meet with offices through October and November. The superintendent plans to release the proposed FY27 operating budget in December 2025. Committee members asked for a December update on staffing‑work‑group findings before the superintendent finalizes the budget.