Charles County school board adopts FY26 budget, will ask county for $22 million over maintenance of effort

Nicole Kramer, vice chairperson of the Board of Education of Charles County, said the board unanimously adopted the Charles County Public Schools proposed fiscal year 2026 budget and will forward a request to the county commissioners for an additional $22,000,000 over maintenance of effort.

The budget vote was the most consequential action at the Feb. 11 meeting, which was held virtually because of snow. Kramer said the board approved the proposed budget “as is” and will pursue the increased county contribution to fund district priorities.

Why it matters: the additional $22,000,000 request, if approved by county commissioners, would increase local funding for CCPS priorities in FY26 above the district’s maintenance-of-effort baseline.

Details provided at the meeting were limited to the total requested amount and the board’s action to send the request to the commissioners; Kramer did not provide a line-item breakdown during the summary remarks recorded in the transcript.

Votes at a glance: - FY26 proposed budget: adopted unanimously; motion and mover/second not specified in the transcript. - Resolution recognizing Social Emotional Learning Week: approved unanimously; motion and mover/second not specified. - Reappointment of Superintendent Dr. Maria Navarro to a second four-year term: approved unanimously; motion and mover/second not specified.

Discussion versus decision: the transcript records the board’s formal adoption of the FY26 proposed budget and the unanimous votes on the resolution and the superintendent’s reappointment. No vote tallies by individual board member name or roll-call counts were provided in the recorded summary.

Meeting context: Kramer opened the summary noting the meeting was virtual due to snow and emphasized the board’s unanimous actions at the meeting.