FCPS signals $6.7 million budget gap as board committee continues talks ahead of June 30 deadline

A board member of the Frederick County Public Schools advisory committee said at the May 14 meeting that the district is working to close a $6,700,000 shortfall in its proposed budget and will continue budget discussions at the next meeting.

"We are in the midst of budget season at FCPS ... we are now at a $6,700,000 budget gap," the board member said during board comments, adding that cuts made earlier reduced a larger shortfall.

The committee member said the district had originally requested more funding from the county and was "about 20 some million dollars short" of that request before making reductions that lowered the gap to the current figure. The speaker said the board will continue work on the budget at the next meeting on May 21.

The board member told attendees that a balanced budget is required by law and that the district must adopt one by June 30. The speaker invited public input, saying residents may email the board with feedback as officials finalize spending plans.

No formal vote or budget adoption occurred at the May 14 advisory meeting; committee members discussed the gap and next steps. The board member characterized the May 21 session as continuing conversations to close the remaining shortfall.

The committee did not present a detailed line-item plan during the meeting. Specific revenue assumptions, program cuts or parcel-level changes were not provided and were described as still under discussion. The speaker said the board made earlier cuts but did not list the programs or departments affected.

The advisory committee will resume budget discussions at the next meeting expected May 21; the board member reiterated that the district must present a balanced budget by June 30, as required by law.