Calvert County Board of Education approves FY26 budget revisions, CASA successor agreement and multiple personnel actions

The Calvert County Board of Education on Monday approved a set of budget revisions to the superintendent's proposed fiscal year 2026 budget, ratified a four-year successor agreement with the Calvert Association of Supervisors and Administrators (CASA), and confirmed an appointment to the county's world languages and ESOL supervisory post.

The board voted to adopt the superintendent's proposed FY26 budget with specific changes that the motion listed by title, including funding for software and consultant services, additional school leadership positions, specialist and intervention roles, and support staff. The motion directed the budget to include the use of $11,000,725 of fund balance in FY26; later in the meeting the district's chief financial officer stated that the total additions in the proposed transfers and revisions amounted to $11,667,006.87 and that the corresponding reductions equaled the same amount.

Why it matters: The package the board approved funds new staff and services the district said are intended to support student learning, behavior supports, literacy efforts, and school leadership. The motion also created several board-designated fund balance commitments for capital and operational priorities, which sets aside money for future repairs and replacements.

Key actions and outcomes - FY26 budget revisions: The motion adopted the superintendent's proposed FY26 budget with changes listed during the meeting. The motion text specified funding for: PIA software; a Microsoft applications consultant; a fourth vice principal at Calvert High School and Patuxent High School; two additional elementary GATE teachers; an additional behavior specialist; 12 behavior technicians for elementary schools; six literacy specialists; one budget specialist; one finance intern; one pre-K specialist; one general education pre-K teacher; and one pre-K instructional assistant 2 position. The motion also requested the county provide the same local funding in FY26 as in FY25 and specified budgeting $11,000,725 of fund balance for FY26. The board approved the motion (motion seconded; board announced "Motion carries."). Vote tally not specified in the record.

- Fund balance commitment types: The board voted to establish immediate fund balance commitments for document digitization, equipment replacement, facility repairs and updates, playground repairs and updates, safety and security repairs and updates, site improvements, and vehicle replacements. That motion passed on a recorded statement of "Motion carries 4-0." (Yes:4, No:0.)

- Intra-category budget transfers: The board approved general fund intra-category budget transfers that net to zero for each budget category. District CFO Scott Johnson told the board the transfers are primarily in the fixed charges category (employee benefits) and are intended to rebalance retirement, insurance, and Social Security accounts. When asked for the transfer amount, the CFO later said the total additions represent $11,667,006.87 and the reductions equal the same amount. The board approved the transfers; the motion was announced as passing 4-0.

- CASA successor agreement (four years): The board approved a tentative four-year successor agreement with CASA (Calvert Association of Supervisors and Administrators) covering July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2029. Susan Johnson, chief operations officer, summarized provisions including a salary schedule aligned to Southern Maryland peers, annual increases, an increased doctorate stipend to $6,000 in the final year for members with doctorates, expanded annual leave payout (63 days) for members who retire and complete the year, increased allowance for reimbursement of personal property damage in limited circumstances, and a $500 annual mentor stipend for administrators mentoring a new employee. The board approved the successor agreement; the motion was seconded and announced as passing (vote tally not specified). CASA president Travis Mister spoke to thank negotiators and described the agreement as commensurate with surrounding jurisdictions.

- Appointment: The board affirmed the appointment of Kelly Smith as supervisor of world languages and English for speakers of other languages. Dr. Townsel (superintendent) introduced Ms. Smith and recounted her credentials, including a master's degree in curriculum and instruction, a national board certification, and 17 years of experience in leadership and teacher development. The appointment motion was moved and seconded and the board voted to approve; the chair stated, "Motion carries." No roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.

Discussion and context District staff described the FY26 revisions as an effort to incorporate priorities the board identified during recent budget deliberations and to add positions requested by administrative teams while keeping the county's contribution level consistent with FY25. The district's CFO noted fixed charges made up about 76% of a particular transfer package and said a recently reported potential additional pension contribution by the state would be borne by the county, not the school system, to his understanding.

Board members thanked staff for the time spent reviewing priorities and noted that state legislative outcomes could still affect final numbers.

What the board did not do The record does not show a roll-call vote for every item; some approvals were announced as "Motion carries" without a full tally given in the transcript. The board did not adopt a different county funding request; the motion asked the county to provide the same local funding in FY26 as in FY25.

Votes at a glance (items recorded in this meeting) - CTE resolution recognizing February as Career and Technical Education Month: approved (motion moved and seconded; board announced "Aye" and "Congratulations"). - CASA successor agreement (07/01/2025'06/30/2029): approved (motion seconded; "Motion passes"). - Appointment of Kelly Smith, supervisor of world languages and ESOL: approved (motion seconded; "Motion carries"). - FY26 budget revisions with listed position additions and use of $11,000,725 fund balance per motion: approved (motion seconded; "Motion carries"). - Establish fund balance commitments (document digitization, equipment replacement, facility/playground/safety/site repairs, vehicle replacements): approved (vote recorded as 4-0). - General fund intra-category transfers (net to zero): approved (vote recorded as 4-0).

Ending District officials said the approved budget changes aim to strengthen leadership, literacy, behavioral supports and pre-K services. Several board members cautioned that state legislative actions could change projected revenue and urged continued advocacy to maintain the funding assumed in the plan.