Board approves tentative FY26 operating budget, confirms cabinet picks and routine resolutions

The Montgomery County Board of Education on Feb. 5 tentatively adopted the superintendent's recommended fiscal year 2026 operating budget and approved a slate of cabinet appointments and routine resolutions in a series of motions the board handled during its business meeting.

The board voted to tentatively adopt the FY26 operating budget as amended by the board for a total of $3,655,244,116 and approved the special education staffing plan to be submitted to the Maryland State Department of Education upon final budget approval in June 2025. Board members described the budget as a step toward addressing long-standing instructional and staffing needs but said it contains difficult tradeoffs.

In a separate set of unanimous approvals, the board confirmed superintendent appointments to the cabinet, including: - Dr. Margaret S. Cage, Chief Student Support Officer (approved unanimously) - Kaylin Connolly, Chief Talent Management Officer (approved unanimously) - Kimberly R. Fields, Chief Technology Officer (approved unanimously) - Dr. Naya Hamlet, Chief Equity and Development Officer (approved unanimously) - Nikki T. Hazel, Chief Academic Officer (approved unanimously) - Adnan Mamoon, Chief Operations Officer (approved unanimously) - Dr. Peter O'Moran, Chief School Leadership Officer (approved unanimously) - Robin Seabrook, General Counsel (approved unanimously)

The board also approved three resolutions recognizing African American History Month, National Board'Certified teachers, and Career and Technical Education Month; each passed by unanimous voice vote.

Consent items, including a supplement of appropriation for a Clean School Bus Grant (federal EPA grant), and routine financial reports were approved in bulk. A single abstention was recorded during an earlier bulk consent vote on non-controversial items (the speaker who abstained did not name a reason in the public transcript).

The board's procedural votes concluded with the superintendent and staff preparing to transmit the budget materials to the county executive and council for the local funding negotiations that follow the school board's tentative adoption.

Votes at a glance - FY26 tentative operating budget (tentative adoption, $3,655,244,116): approved (all present) - Cabinet appointments (list above): all approved by unanimous voice vote - Resolutions recognizing African American History Month, National Board Certified teachers, and Career and Technical Education Month: approved unanimously - Clean School Bus Grant appropriation (EPA): approved (consent) - Summer school tuition and plan (see separate article): approved (unanimous)

The board did not take a final binding vote on the petition to rename Magruder High School during the meeting; that item was discussed at length and is covered in a separate article.

Ending: The board emphasized that tentative budget adoption is one step in a multi-stage process that includes county executive and county council review and continued public engagement.