Board adopts operating budget after votes adding pay, counselors, safety pilot and program funding

The Anne Arundel County Board of Education on Feb. 24 approved the superintendent's recommended fiscal 2026 operating budget as amended, following a series of votes that added staffing, compensation changes and safety and program investments.

The board voted 8-0 to adopt the operating budget after approving a package of individual amendments over several hours. The changes approved at the meeting include a 1% midyear cost-of-living adjustment for employees, a $10 daily increase for substitute teachers, incentives and salary adjustments for long-serving staff and certification-eligible counselors, added mental-health staff and program funding for music and agricultural education. The board also expanded a noninvasive weapons-detection pilot to cover all high schools.

The superintendent, Dr. Bedell, and Chief Financial Officer Matt Stanski presented administration reconciliations tied to the governor's proposed state budget and several recommended adjustments before the board considered member amendments and public testimony. Stanski told the board the administration's initial package (amendments 1–5) reconciled state budget figures, shifted certain teacher retirement costs into local appropriations pending final state action, and updated charter-school payments based on revised enrollment projections.

Board members debated about where to invest limited county dollars. Vice President Dent moved final approval of the budget as amended. Several board amendments passed…