Talbot County Public Schools approved to shift FY25 savings into FY26 needs

Talbot County Council on June 10 approved categorical budget transfers requested by Talbot County Public Schools to shuffle FY25 savings into several categories and prepay items for FY26.

Sarah Jones, the school system92s chief financial officer, told the council the transfers would move savings from several categories to cover prepayment needs and unexpected repairs. She said the largest savings came from instructional salaries (vacancies), about $40,000 from materials of instruction, roughly $500,000 from special education nonpublic tuition savings, $100,000 from pupil personnel services and $50,000 from transportation. Jones said the transfers net to zero and are not an increase in overall spending.

Jones said the district plans to prepay some FY26 costs for operation and maintenance of plant, including supplies, contracted services, repairs and HVAC work; the district reported roughly $290,000 needed for maintenance-of-plant overages tied to an expensive boiler repair at Easton High School and other HVAC work. She also said the district built a $100,000 vacancy savings assumption into the FY26 budget and expects hiring and retention initiatives to reduce vacancy-driven savings next year.

Jones projected the district will be under budget on revenue by about $440,000 because state reimbursement tied to nonpublic special education placements will be lower since those placements and related costs were lower than budgeted; she said the district expects to come in approximately $180,000 under budget overall for the year.

A council member moved approval of the requested transfers; the motion passed by roll call: Callahan Aye; Stepp Aye; Lesher Aye; Milke Aye; Haef Aye.