Montgomery County schools outline FY2026 budget pressures as potential state cuts and staffing needs rise

Montgomery County Board of Education members spent a more than two‑and‑a‑half‑hour work session on Wednesday reviewing the operating budget outlook for fiscal year 2026, with administrators warning of uncertainty in state and federal funding and proposing a package of increases aimed at stabilizing benefits, maintenance and special‑education staffing.

The most immediate risk identified by administration was a governor’s proposal and parallel guidance from the state Accountability and Implementation Board to freeze funding for the Blueprint requirement for teacher collaborative planning time; staff said that freeze could reduce Montgomery County Public Schools’ (MCPS) revenue by about $25,000,000 if enacted. Staff also described ongoing Blueprint obligations and a current set of Blueprint‑related expenditures the district has already budgeted at $30,100,000.

Why it matters: MCPS officials said Blueprint is a state law that places new or expanded requirements on school systems — including expansions in full‑day pre‑K, teacher career ladders and other components — but that portions are funded only partially by the state. In Montgomery County’s case, administrators told the board the district often funds a larger share of Blueprint obligations than smaller jurisdictions, and a significant state reduction would force either program cuts or larger local backfills.

“...this is not a budget of cake. This is very much a budget of vegetables,” Superintendent Dr. Taylor said in opening remarks, stressing the budget is focused…