St. Mary's County commissioners voted 4–1 on May 23 to allocate $750,000 to preserve up to 22 non‑tenured teaching positions while the Board of Education finalizes its budget process.

The funding decision followed an earlier, larger proposal to forward $1.3 million to the school system that failed on the floor. The later measure — moved by Commissioner Todd B. Morgan and seconded by Commissioner Jones — passed after several commissioners said a smaller, targeted allocation could shore up classrooms without excessive micromanagement of the school budget.

The vote comes as the county finalizes its operating budget ahead of statutory adoption dates. County Chief Financial Officer Elaine Kramer told commissioners the operating reconciliation showed an excess of revenues over expenses of about $1,573,003.52 but that several issues remained to be resolved before final adoption.

Board of Education representatives had urged commissioners to preserve the positions. A school official, Dr. Martirano, told commissioners he would communicate with affected employees only after the board of education completed its internal process: “I am preparing to send a preliminary letter to the employees who are affected in this category, notifying them that their position will be reserved and maintained in the operating budget, but all of it is predicated on the final process,” he said, adding that the BOE’s final approval of its budget was scheduled for June 8.

Commission debate focused on tradeoffs between restoring teacher positions and preserving other budget controls. Commissioner Morgan argued commissioners could find savings elsewhere and expressed confidence the county had sufficient resources to fund the $750,000 allocation. Some members cautioned against micromanaging the school system’s internal staffing decisions and emphasized the BOE’s role in final approval.

The board directed staff to reflect the $750,000 allocation in the county’s operating schedules; the BOE and county staff will reconcile the county’s contribution through the upcoming budget amendment and BOE approvals.

Ending: The BOE official said the district would review where to adjust to absorb the added funding and reiterated that formal notices to employees awaited BOE action. The county's final adopted budget and BOE budget approvals in June will confirm whether the positions remain funded beyond the coming fiscal year.