Queen Anne's County board reviews FY27 draft budget, staff recommends $12.055M request to county commissioners

Rob Watkins, chief financial officer for Queen Anne's County Public Schools, presented the draft fiscal year 2027 operating budget at the board's Feb. 11 budget work session and said the superintendent's recommendation is "to take a $12,055,000 request to the commissioner's office." The draft shows a proposed overall increase of $13,379,000 over FY26 and a projected deficit of about $12,055,000.

Watkins told the board the draft breaks increases into a "cost to maintain" portion (obligated and contractual costs) and a "cost to improve" portion (restorations and additions). He said the white section on page 5 of the budget book represents required increases to contractual services and other fixed obligations, while the gray section lists previously cut lines the district proposes to restore. The proposal includes 37 positions under consideration; staff said roughly 13 of those would be brand-new roles and that many restorations directly support students and school operations.

The budget book posted to BoardDocs shows a modest state revenue increase (about $1.5 million in the draft), but staff said the district still expects a remaining shortfall. Watkins said staff will present the final budget for board approval on or before the March 4 meeting after the county commissioners provide their allocation. "We're seeking an approval, on or before the March 4, Board of Education meeting," Watkins said.

Staff flagged a key sensitivity: the assumed health insurance increase. The draft uses a 10% assumption for health insurance; if the final insurer rate is nearer 5%, Watkins said that could reduce the district's additional funding need by about $800,000. He cautioned the board that until the district receives written rates from its providers (CareFirst and Bolton were mentioned), staff would not reduce the request.

Board members also discussed federal grant funding and a proposed grant-writer position. Watkins explained that Title I and Title II funds are federal pass-through grants allocated by the state, not competitive applications, and that many grant-funded positions "pull double duty." Board members asked for and received a summary of current grants (listed on page 8 of the budget book), and staff said a dedicated grant-writer could both pursue new funds and help manage existing grants.

The draft includes a targeted reading initiative: staff proposed adding six reading specialists (to supplement three currently in place) so each of the district's eight elementary schools would have one dedicated reading specialist and the district would retain an additional position to support middle-school ELA. Board members noted that a coming state-mandated "science of reading" implementation will increase staffing and certification needs, and they urged the district to present that as part of the rationale to commissioners.

On process, Watkins summarized the recommended next steps: the board decide whether to take the $12,055,000 request to the county commissioners, accept whatever allocation commissioners provide, revise the budget book to balance with that allocation, and then return to the board for a final vote. Multiple board members expressed support for presenting the full request to the commissioners and argued that asking for less could limit the district's ability to restore needed positions and services. Staff and trustees emphasized the presentation should show specific links between requested funds and student outcomes.

The board did not record a formal roll-call vote in the transcript to adopt the final budget figure on Feb. 11; staff scheduled a follow-up work session on Feb. 25 and the board's regular meeting on March 4 for final action after the commissioners provide an allocation.