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MCPS board reviews discretionary spending proposals: equity add-on, menstrual supplies, security assistants and program expansions
Summary
At a work session, staff proposed targeted discretionary investments including a differentiated school-site allocation and equity add-on for materials, earmarked funding for menstrual hygiene (currently an unfunded mandate), expansion of security assistants, formalizing CREA supports and smaller blended-learning pilots; staff committed to guidance and follow-ups.
Montgomery County Public Schools staff laid out a short list of discretionary spending proposals the board should consider as part of the FY26 operating budget, emphasizing targeted investments to address equity, safety and program stability.
Doctor Taylor described a differentiated school-site allocation and an "equity add-on" to the materials-and-supplies budget that would direct more resources to schools with higher concentrations of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals, English learners and students with disabilities. "We think that all of our schools could use an enhancement to their materials and supplies line," Taylor said, and added that the approach is intended as a "year 1" implementation with potential scale-up in subsequent years.
On menstrual hygiene, Taylor noted a state law requires menstrual products in restrooms but provides no dedicated funding. "Principals use their materials-and-supplies line to offset expenses for providing menstrual supplies in our restrooms," she said. Staff proposed establishing a sustainable, ongoing budget line to avoid relying on one-time grants or principals' discretionary funds.
The presentation proposed expanding the district's security-assistant workforce and differentiating coverage by school level and geography so schools can access support quickly. Marcus Jones, chief of security and compliance, said certification training is supported in part through a state grant and that training must be completed within a year of employment under state regulations.
Other discretionary asks included funds to support school renaming processes (e.g., Colonel Zadok Magruder High School), targeted career and technical education investments (hospitality and tourism instructional specialist) and formalizing and expanding the CREA program to provide more full-time equivalents and industry certifications. Staff also proposed smaller virtual/blended-learning pilots to make specialized high-school and middle-school courses available more widely; Montgomery Virtual Academy had been reduced in prior budget cycles and a $5 million line item was eliminated last year.
Board members repeatedly requested clearer guidance and guardrails for principals on how to spend equity-add-on funds so that investments align with proven academic strategies such as high-dosage tutoring rather than noninstructional items. Staff said they would provide best-practice guidance and artifacts, and would return with contract lists and program cost breakdowns in a follow-up packet.
Several board members flagged program equity concerns such as access to translation of materials for families speaking languages beyond Spanish, charging parents for Chromebook damage, Chromebook repair funding shortfalls and the adequacy of food and services for CREA students. Staff acknowledged those concerns, explained that some costs were previously covered by expiring ESSER funds and pledged additional detail in follow-up materials.
The board did not take formal votes; staff were directed to provide follow-up information on program costs, contracts, SEL/assessment-reporting artifacts and enrollment projections.
