PGCPS warns a mix of enrollment gains and proposed state cuts could widen a $37M gap to as much as $63M

Prince George’s County Public Schools officials told the Board of Education’s Operations, Budget & Fiscal Affairs Committee on Jan. 29 that preliminary state aid calculations increase some revenue for the district but that pending legislation at the Maryland General Assembly could reduce funding and widen an existing $37 million shortfall to about $63 million.

The update, presented by Chief Financial Officer Lisa Howell and Budget Director Siobhan Smith, explained how Sept. 30 enrollment counts and the state’s “Blueprint” funding formula drive the district’s state aid. With final eligible enrollment slightly higher than the figures used in the superintendent’s proposed FY2026 budget, the district is seeing increases in some targeted funding streams — but those gains may be offset if bills moving through Annapolis become law.

Why this matters: The district’s largest funding source, foundation aid, and other Blueprint-linked programs must direct at least 75% of that money to schools. A reduction in those streams would force the district to consider program or staffing reductions at schools, reallocation of central-office dollars or other offsets to produce a sustainable budget.

Siobhan Smith, the budget director, said one pending measure would delay the state’s collaborative time program and that “this delay would decrease expected per pupil revenue by $163 for foundation,” a change that ripples into other…