WESTMINSTER, Md. — At its March 12 meeting, the Carroll County Board of Education heard a detailed update on the school system’s plan to meet Maryland’s Blueprint fiscal-compliance requirements, which Superintendent Christopher McCabe said leave Carroll County Public Schools with a roughly $44 million shortfall.

McCabe told board members the system is working to meet a state-imposed timeline that requires 50% of Blueprint-related changes in fiscal 2026 and the remaining 50% in fiscal 2027. “We will continue to bring you updates on our progress with implementing Blueprint,” McCabe said, and staff are focusing on a rollout that phases changes at the secondary level first and elementary the following year.

The update from district implementation staff laid out concrete ways the gap could affect students and programs. “This slide just summarizes the gaps that exist at a total of 44,000,000,” said Nick Shockney, a district administrator who walked the board through the slides. Shockney and other staff warned that meeting the funding targets will require reductions in some high-school and middle-school course offerings, more regionalized or virtual delivery of low-enrollment classes, and changes to staffing models.

Why this matters

The board was told that reductions at the secondary level could eliminate some courses systemwide and reduce school-specific offerings. Shockney said some classes might be offered only at one school, regionally, or virtually rather than at every high school each year. “Some courses will no longer be offered in the future,” he said, describing the plan as an attempt to minimize eliminations while meeting state fiscal requirements.

Multilingual learners and staffing

The district also described a planned change in service delivery for multilingual learners (MLLs). Staff said the system aims to increase the number of classroom teachers with dual licensure (content plus ESOL) and to add ESOL positions so more schools have embedded ESOL staff. The district reported it currently has about 100 teachers who hold ESOL certification, of whom roughly 14 full-time-equivalent ESOL positions (16.5 teachers in practice) provide direct ESOL services; administrators cited a caseload of about 571 multilingual learners. After coding current ESOL teachers into the Blueprint’s multilingual learner funding pot, the district said the plan is currently based on about $4,000,000 targeted for multilingual services.

Human-resources work and negotiations

Superintendent McCabe and human-resources staff described active negotiations with bargaining units and training for administrators on transfer and placement processes. “Our goal remains to try to find continued CCPS employment for everyone or as many employees as possible as we go through this process of change over the next couple of years,” staff said. The district emphasized the timeline’s urgency but said staff are delaying final secondary-course details to allow more work with principals and teachers.

Public reaction and state advocacy

During public participation, multiple speakers urged the board and county officials to seek additional funding rather than cut staff. Lehman Tuttle, a parent, called the situation “immediate and existential,” saying potential cuts could eliminate nearly 100 jobs, increase class sizes and close programs. Several speakers urged the county commissioners to use one-time unassigned funds as a stopgap and to press state officials and the Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB) for relief or flexibility.

Board members and staff also noted legislative developments. District staff pointed to the House version of the Excellence in Maryland Public Schools Act, saying the House restored $163 per pupil to the foundation in its budget plan; staff cautioned that final outcomes depend on remaining legislative action and conference negotiations.

Votes at a glance

- Student appointments to the Carroll County Career and Technical Education Advisory Council — Approved by voice vote after superintendent McCabe read the nominees aloud. (Motion to approve: moved; outcome: aye recorded.)
- Award of bids (five procurement items, including serving lines at three elementary schools, arts-and-crafts supplies and calculators) — Approved by voice vote (motion made and seconded; outcome: aye recorded). The district said three serving-line purchases will be funded from the food-services program.
- Construction and access easement agreement with the Town of Hampstead (to allow town work at nearby water-treatment plant) — Approved by voice vote; mover: Mr. Whistler; second: Dr. Malvo. Staff said standard fencing, dust controls and site separation measures are required to protect Hampstead Elementary School during construction.
- Personal appointments (two hires/transfers, including a school psychologist and a purchasing supervisor) — Approved by voice vote; superintendent recommended the hires.
- Monthly personnel action items (release from contract, one promotion, two leaves) — Approved by voice vote.

What was not decided

Administrators postponed a full list of specific course eliminations at the secondary level, saying more time is needed to finalize how offerings will be grouped regionally and which courses will be preserved or cut. Staff said they are still refining the secondary plan and expect to return with greater detail at a later meeting.

Clarifying details

- Funding gap: District staff described a $44,000,000 gap tied to Blueprint implementation across restricted funding buckets.
- Compliance timeline: Joint AIB–MSBE policy cited requires 50% of fiscal changes in FY 2026 and the remaining 50% in FY 2027.
- ESOL staffing: ~100 teachers hold ESOL certifications systemwide; 14 FTE (16.5 individuals) currently function as ESOL teachers; roughly 571 students identified as multilingual learners.
- Multilingual budget: District said the Blueprint coding yields approximately $4,000,000 currently for multilingual learner services.
- HR process: District has trained administrators on transfer procedures and is negotiating with bargaining units; goal is to retain as many employees as possible.

Next steps

Staff said they will finalize secondary-course changes and return with greater detail, continue negotiations with employee groups, communicate changes to students and families, and persist in advocacy with the county delegation and the AIB for fiscal relief or flexibility.

Ending note

Board members scheduled a superintendent town hall for April 2 at the Career and Technology Center. Several public speakers said they intend to press county commissioners and state legislators for funding relief before the April–May budget deadlines.