Worcester County Board reviews FY27 budget request driven by health insurance and student-support programs
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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 Assembly acts. Tolbert and other staff emphasized Maryland’s wealth-equalization in the Blueprint funding formula means Worcester receives a smaller share of formula dollars compared with some neighboring counties.
Key drivers and requests - Health insurance: Tolbert said the current placeholder for health insurance is an estimated 16.8% increase; staff noted the final county determination is expected in mid-March and the estimate could change. Tolbert identified roughly $2.7 million of the district’s ask as linked to health insurance. - RISE and special education: The proposal includes an elementary RISE expansion to provide trauma-informed, restorative supports aimed at keeping students in-district rather than placing them in costly out-of-county residential programs. - Pre-K positions (Pocomoke): Two pre-K teachers and two educational assistants previously funded by a pre-K expansion grant now require approximately $300,000 in local funds because the grant can no longer pay those positions. - Dual enrollment: Tolbert said the board is requesting $300,000 to offset rising dual-enrollment costs; staff clarified that under the current interpretation of the Blueprint the district pays tuition, fees, books and required assessments for dually enrolled students. - Staffing and operations: The package includes a $175,000 cost to raise substitute pay from $15 to $17.25 per hour, an additional $35,990 to cover a MacBook lease for the 1:1 initiative, $200,000 for summer/after-school salaries contingent on the Donnie Williams grant, and money for one vehicle replacement because the fleet contains aging buses and vans.
Revenue and reserves: Tolbert proposed using $567,011 from the FY25 unassigned fund balance to reduce needed cuts in FY27 and noted the draft state aid numbers flow from the governor’s budget. He reminded the board that state aid estimates can change through the legislative session.
Procedural posture: The presentation was informational; the board did not adopt the budget Monday. Tolbert said the board may hold another budget work session on Feb. 3 (if needed) and is scheduled to adopt a proposed budget on Feb. 17; once adopted the proposed budget will be transmitted to the county government in early March for final appropriation likely in June.
Board action and votes: The meeting opened and closed with routine procedural votes. The agenda was approved (motion by Mr. Smack, second Mr. Gordy; unanimous), the board voted to enter a closed session under the Annotated Code of Maryland to discuss negotiations (motion by Mr. Smack, second Mr. Gordy; unanimous), and the meeting adjourned following a motion by Dr. Ennis and a second by Mr. Smack (unanimous).
What’s next: The board will consider the proposed budget for formal adoption on Feb. 17; staff expect to finalize insurance numbers after the county decision in mid-March and will continue to pursue grants (including the Donnie Williams summer grant) that could reduce the local ask.
