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Board approves $537 million FY2026 budget, reappoints superintendent; records positions on state bills
Summary
At its Feb. 11 virtual meeting the Charles County Board of Education approved the fiscal year 2026 operating request, reappointed Dr. Maria Navarro as superintendent and recorded formal board positions on two state bills. The board also approved minutes, personnel actions, a social-emotional learning resolution and the superintendent's contract.
The Charles County Board of Education approved the school system's fiscal year 2026 proposed operating budget, reappointed Superintendent Maria Navarro to a second term and took formal positions on two pieces of state legislation during its Feb. 11 virtual meeting.
The board voted to adopt the FY2026 operating request totaling about $537,000,000, an increase of roughly $31.7 million (6.3%) over the current fiscal year's base operating budget. The board approved the budget adoption motion by unanimous vote.
The board also voted unanimously to reappoint Dr. Maria Navarro as superintendent and to approve her contract, subject to the Maryland state superintendent's review.
On state legislation the board voted to oppose Senate Bill 727 (Charles County student bus transportation provider displacement) and the related House filing (House Bill 1359). Vice Chair Nicole Kramer moved the motion to oppose; Brenda Thomas seconded. The board counted eight votes in favor of opposing the bill and recorded one abstention (Butler Washington). The motion instructs the board and staff to register formal opposition to a proposal that would mandate use of private providers for school-bus services in Charles County for the next 10 years.
The board also voted to support House Bill 596 / Senate Bill 601 (Dependent Children of Service Members — advanced enrollment) with amendments proposed by staff and the board; the agreed clarifications narrow the bill to K–12 and limit any implied authority to permit dependent students to select any school or any program regardless of eligibility. That motion passed unanimously.
Other routine actions approved unanimously included minutes from prior meetings, personnel actions and a resolution on social-emotional learning. The board also read and adopted several ceremonial resolutions (Fine and Performing Arts Month, Read Across Charles County, Women's History Month, World Down Syndrome Day).
Votes at a glance - FY2026 operating budget adoption (budget_total: ~$537,000,000): motion passed, unanimous. - Oppose SB727 / HB1359 (school-bus provider displacement): motion to oppose passed; recorded tally: 8 in favor, 0 no, 1 abstain (Butler Washington). - Support HB596 / SB601 (advanced enrollment for dependent children of service members) with amendments (clarify K–12 scope; limit program/school selection to what superintendents may place and to programs students qualify for): motion passed, unanimous. - Reappointment of Superintendent Maria Navarro (second term): motion passed, unanimous. - Approval of superintendent contract (subject to state superintendent review): motion passed, unanimous. - Minutes, personnel, SEL resolution and other listed items: approved, unanimous.
Board directions and next steps - Staff will register formal opposition to SB727/HB1359 with the General Assembly and may participate in hearings on the issue. - Staff will work with the bill sponsor and stakeholder groups to propose the agreed clarifications to HB596/SB601 and circulate amendment language for board sign-off.
Sources and evidence This article is based on the board's Feb. 11, 2025 public meeting. Excerpts from the meeting record cited below show the motions and vote counts.
