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Wicomico County Council holds public hearing on FY2026 budget as schools press for more local funding
Summary
County executive submitted a balanced FY2026 budget; Wicomico County Public Schools and community groups urged the council to fund additional teachers, behavior supports and capital needs. The Board of Education request is included in the executive proposal and was discussed at a lengthy public hearing.
Wicomico County Council held a public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget on May 6, 2025, after the county executive submitted a balanced proposal covering operating, capital and grant budgets for the year beginning July 1, 2025.
The county executives proposed budget posted online lists the Board of Education at $66,287,791 and includes many departmental totals such as Corrections $23,460,864, Sheriff $19,740,798, Roads $12,783,355, and Nursing Home $11,832,110. The executive also proposes the countys contribution toward the Fruitland Primary replacement, noting the county would contribute more than $30 million to the project alongside state funding.
Superintendent Micah Stauffer and other school leaders urged the council to continue funding above the state-mandated maintenance of effort. Stauffer said additional local funding would "begin to reduce overcrowded classrooms," and listed specific staffing requests: six additional elementary classroom teachers; three teaching positions and three teaching assistants to create an elementary behavior support program; two special education teachers; two additional elementary music and art teachers; and more teachers for English learners.
Gene Malone, chairman of the Wicomico County Board of Education, said the board is requesting three percent above MOE to address inflation and an additional two percent as an investment in schools, asking the council to "continue providing the best opportunities for a successful future." Assistant Superintendent Brian Reager outlined capital needs, including large systemic work across 24 schools and the Fruitland Primary replacement; he said state timelines on funding have required ongoing discussions about the countys cash-flow role but that forward funding would not be needed in FY26.
Teachers and community leaders also addressed the council. Debbie Reynolds, Wicomicos teacher of the year, said prior MOE funding had been impactful and described the countys request as supporting security initiatives, smaller class sizes and expanded CTE and after-school opportunities. Mike Dunn, CEO of the Greater Salisbury Committee, and Monica Brooks, president of the Wicomico County NAACP, both urged continued and increased local investment in schools.
Council members did not take a final vote on the budget at the hearing; they had earlier introduced legislative bill 2025-06 (the annual budget and appropriation bill) at the meeting and recorded the bills introduction. The council will consider final adoption later in its statutory process.
Clarifying details from the hearing and budget presentation include the countys line-item totals for many departments (examples above), the countys stated capital contribution of over $30 million for Fruitland Primary, and the Board of Educations specific personnel requests (six elementary teachers; three teacher/three TA positions for elementary behavior supports; two special education teachers; two elementary arts teachers). The council solicited public comment; speakers repeated concerns about underfunding versus countywide budget increases over time.
The council will continue its review and is scheduled to consider the budget through its adoption process in the coming weeks. The county executives proposed FY2026 budget and related materials remain posted on the county website for public review.
