Carroll County board wrestles with FY27 shortfall; Outdoor School and 15 teacher FTE cited as possible cuts

Carroll County Public Schools trustees spent a work session reviewing the superintendent's proposed FY27 operating budget and airing competing choices to close an estimated $10.4 million shortfall.

Mr. Burke, the district's budget presenter, told the board that the governor's budget release adds roughly $600,000 to CCPS' projected state revenues but does not eliminate the gap. "About 600,000 in additional state revenue" is what staff expect pending legislative action, he said, noting that the county plan provides $7.6 million while the proposed budget still includes an additional county request of $5.6 million that staff expect may be reduced to $5.0 million by February.

The superintendent's proposed reductions included cutting 15 classroom teacher full‑time equivalents to reflect declining enrollment and eliminating the Outdoor School program, which staff estimate would save approximately $1.4 million. Trustees were clear that further recurring reductions beyond the proposed 15 FTE would increase class sizes and reduce course offerings; staff warned a larger FTE cut (15–17 additional positions beyond the proposal) would have ‘‘a significant increase in class size and course offerings’’ and other substantive impacts.

Trustees and staff also discussed one‑time requests: staff recommended increasing the facilities maintenance one‑time ask from $2 million to $3 million to address deferred maintenance, and they left a $1,000,000 one‑time device/technology refresh in the proposed package. Staff said the charter school opening has been delayed a year, which shifts roughly $4.0 million in one‑time costs to FY28 and reduces FY27 pressure.

Board members debated alternatives to cutting Outdoor School, including converting the overnight program to a daytime model (staff estimated roughly $275,000 in savings) or seeking additional county support. "I will not vote in favor of a budget that includes cutting Outdoor School," one board member said during the session, while others raised security and liability concerns about an overnight program at a publicly accessible county facility and emphasized that many outdoor learning activities could be replicated on school campuses or through community partnerships.

On devices, staff explained the district typically replaces student devices in cycles (for example, in third, sixth and ninth grades). Pausing purchases for a set of grades would produce an estimated first‑year savings of about $1,000,000 but would carry one‑time curriculum and material costs to convert away from a device‑centric model. Staff gave an estimate of about $1,500,000 in up‑front costs for textbooks, curriculum writing and professional learning if the district reverted to heavier paper‑based instruction for affected grades.

Several trustees emphasized the importance of showing the county commissioners a "good faith" effort to identify cuts while also being prepared to ask for additional funds. At least three trustees signaled they are open to asking commissioners for additional ongoing and one‑time funding (the figures discussed were an extra $5.6 million in the original ask, potentially reduced to $5.0 million once the governor's budget is folded in).

No formal motion or vote took place at the work session; staff will return with updated revenue projections and a revised set of options for the board to ratify at the February business meeting.

The board recessed for public comment and will consider categorical totals and any edits at its next meeting in February.