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Carroll County speakers urge commissioners to keep $13 million for public schools after AIB waiver
Summary
Parents, educators and union leaders told Carroll County commissioners at a public hearing on the proposed fiscal 2026 budget that a preliminary $13,000,000 increase for Carroll County Public Schools must be preserved to avoid layoffs and cuts as the county implements a temporary waiver from the state Accountability and Implementation Board.
Residents, parents, educators and union leaders told the Carroll County Board of County Commissioners at a public hearing on the proposed fiscal 2026 budget that the county should preserve a $13,000,000 preliminary increase to Carroll County Public Schools (CCPS).
Speakers said the waiver granted by the Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB) provided time to plan but not forgiveness. "This waiver was not a free pass, it was a lifeline," said Dr. Amanda Dzaskowski, a parent and public-education advocate. Several speakers said failure to maintain the $13,000,000 would force immediate cuts that would harm students and staff.
The request matters because, speakers said, the county must both meet state blueprint-related obligations and avoid further erosion of school services that parents and teachers rely on. "I urge you in the strongest possible terms to adopt the $13,000,000 increase proposed by commissioners Kyler, Rothstein and Gordon," said parent Lehman Tuttle.
Speakers described specific consequences they expect if the money is removed. Lisa Masano, a parent, said that even with the $13,000,000 included in the preliminary budget, CCPS "will still be forced to lay off 3 clerical staff from central office and make $400,000 in cuts to instructional materials to balance their operating budget." Cindy Porter, president of the Carroll Association of School Employees and a long‑time paraprofessional, said she made "less than $39,000" last year and that the proposed operational increase would allow the district to honor the third year of a negotiated pay increase for education support professionals.
Speakers also cited broader community impacts. An unidentified community member said, "Carroll County Public Schools serve over 25,000 students" and noted the system employs roughly 1,800 teachers. Julie Walsh and others described a large local advocacy effort: Walsh said the AIB received more than 1,300 emails from Carroll County residents in support of the county's waiver request.
Those testifying said the waiver gives the county time to craft a sustainable plan but not to delay action. "If we squander this time we will face even more painful cuts, deeper inequities, and greater risk to student success," Dzaskowski said. Multiple speakers asked commissioners not only to adopt the current preliminary commitment but to begin planning longer-term revenue and funding strategies.
Commission staff earlier described the schedule for budget work sessions and final adoption, and hearing organizers invited written comments on the budget via the county website. No formal vote or action on the $13,000,000 occurred at the hearing; speakers were making public comment to inform the commissioners ahead of upcoming budget sessions.
