Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Garrett County previews FY27 revenue, projects increases but flags legislative uncertainty
Summary
District presenters told the board the preliminary FY27 revenue estimate shows roughly a $1.9 million increase overall and notable per‑pupil shifts (a large pre‑K per‑pupil increase; a small decrease in compensatory education per‑pupil), while stressing that legislative changes and hold‑harmless decisions could materially alter those figures.
A district finance presenter reviewed preliminary revenue estimates for fiscal year 2027 at the Nov. 11 Garrett County Board of Education meeting, telling the board the current model projects about a $1.9 million overall increase compared with FY26.
The presenter said some per‑pupil rates are expected to change under current law: compensatory education per‑pupil was shown slightly decreasing (presenter cited prior figures for comparison), while pre‑K per‑pupil funding in the presented estimate rises notably (the slide showed a change from $14,004.73 to $19,009.50). The presenter emphasized these are preliminary figures and that per‑pupil amounts could change through legislation.
The presentation also listed five schools identified for the Concentration of Poverty (COP) funding in FY27 — Friendsville, Grantsville, Crellin, Bradford, and Yacht Glades — and included estimated totals: approximately $1.4 million for the personnel COP grant and about $411,109 for per‑pupil COP funding, yielding a combined COP estimate near $1.8 million in the slide.
A proposed budget calendar was presented: draft state aid due from MSDE in early 2026 with a presentation of draft state aid on Feb. 10, 2026, a March 2026 budget work session, the superintendent’s proposed FY27 operating budget presented May 12, 2026, and board adoption targeted for June 19, 2026.
Board members asked what variables could change the estimates; presenters cited potential legislative per‑pupil rate changes and hold‑harmless provisions. One board member framed hold‑harmless legislation as potentially worth “over 1,000,000 dollars” to the county; presenters acknowledged the local fiscal significance and said the district will continue to model scenarios with APA’s assistance.
Next steps: district staff will continue modeling FY27 scenarios, incorporate MSDE draft aid when available, and present work sessions as scheduled on the budget calendar.
