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Worcester County Board reviews FY27 budget request driven by health insurance and student-support programs
Summary
The Worcester County Board of Education reviewed a proposed FY27 budget that currently requests a $5,485,071 increase, citing an estimated 16.8% rise in health insurance costs and new or continued investments such as an elementary RISE expansion, bus assistants and restored pre-K positions. Board members sought clarifications on state aid, dual-enrollment costs and safety grant limits; adoption is scheduled for Feb. 17.
The Worcester County Board of Education on Monday reviewed a preliminary FY27 proposed budget that requests a $5,485,071 local increase, driven largely by a provisional 16.8% rise in health insurance costs and a set of program and staffing requests intended to support early learners and school safety.
Dr. Wallace, the district superintendent, framed the budget as “a reflection of our commitment to knowing every student by name, strength, and need,” and said the proposal incorporates feedback from teachers, staff, bus contractors and other stakeholders. Vince Tolbert, the staff member who presented the budget booklet, described the numbers as preliminary and contingent on negotiations and final state allocations.
Why it matters: Tolbert told the board the governor’s draft budget yields mixed changes for Worcester County — foundation aid up $250,528, special education up $550,342 and transportation up $59,904 — but cautioned these are draft figures subject to change when the General…
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