Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Board forwards $295 million FY2026 budget recommendation to county amid concern over proposed state formula changes
Summary
The board approved and sent its FY2026 operating budget recommendation to the commissioners, asking for an approximate $5.3 million (4%) increase in local funding. District leaders warned a proposed state 'Excellence in Maryland Public Schools Act' could reduce state aid and increase the county funding request substantially.
The Saint Mary's County Board of Education voted Feb. 5 to approve and forward its recommended fiscal year 2026 operating budget to the commissioners of Saint Mary's County, while district leaders warned that pending state legislation could materially reduce state aid and force a larger local funding request.
Lewis McCord, a district staff member who presented the item, summarized the recommended budget and said it incorporates negotiated employee agreements, increases for health insurance and pension contributions and planned uses of fund balance for transportation retention stipends and workforce development. He told the board the recommended unrestricted operating budget totals $295,000,000 and that the request includes a 4% local funding increase (a $5,300,000 increase) to…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
