Washington County Public Schools unveils FY26 draft budget as state funding shifts cut per-student aid

Washington County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Stein presented his draft FY26 General Fund budget at a Board of Education work session, outlining proposed investments, staffing changes and cuts in response to state funding changes and enrollment growth.

The draft responds to two near-term shifts from Annapolis: a governor-requested bill that, if enacted, would pause collaborative planning time in the foundation funding formula — which the superintendent said “reduces revenue by $163 per student” — and a proposed pension cost shift to local government of $2.4 million for Washington County. Dr. Stein said those changes together substantially affect the district’s revenue picture for FY26.

The budget overview shows total anticipated additional revenue for FY26 of slightly more than $17,000,000 and estimates required local contributions will increase as Maryland moves the K–12 funding system from the maintenance-of-effort model to the “blueprint” funding model. The superintendent told the board that Washington County Government may need to contribute about $8.3 million more than in FY25 to meet the blueprint’s local share requirements.

Why it matters

Board members and staff framed the draft as a starting point for deliberation: the superintendent emphasized he limited the recommended budget to required appropriations and asked the board for feedback before the board adopts its draft. The governor’s bill and the blueprint transition could materially change the district’s final revenue and spending needs; officials said they will continue to monitor legislation during the General Assembly session.

Major proposals and requirements

- Blueprint-mandated increases: The superintendent identified several targeted areas that the blueprint requires the district to fund above FY25 levels, including…