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Cecil County leaders outline $11 million reduction plan as FY27 shortfall widens
Summary
Cecil County Public Schools leaders proposed about $11 million in reductions and $7.5 million in position/salary cuts to balance the FY2027 operating budget, while relying on $5 million in fund balance, $3 million in OPEB and a hoped-for $10 million county increase.
The Board of Education of Cecil County heard a line-by-line presentation of the school system's proposed FY2027 operating budget on the board's budget work session, where leadership identified roughly $11 million in proposed reductions and warned that deeper structural changes may be needed to close the gap.
Doctor Lawson, who opened the presentation, said the district expects only a modest increase from the state — "We are fairly certain that we can expect a 1.1% year-over-year increase," he said — and noted much of that money is restricted under the state —Blueprint— funding formula. "The increases you get tend to be earmarked and this year is no different," Lawson said, adding that special education funding remains well short of student needs.
To reach balance under the current proposal, leadership said the district would use $5 million of fund balance, $3 million from OPEB (retiree health reserves), and a county contribution the district is seeking $10 million above FY26 levels. "That would present a balanced budget," the presentation materials show, but Lawson cautioned the county boost is not guaranteed.
The administration proposed $7.5 million in salary and position reductions as part of the cuts that would produce $11.7 million in total reductions when combined with other adjustments. Lawson and staff said those position reductions are not yet identified to the grade-and-school level and emphasized legal constraints for certain services, like related service providers and school psychologists.
Board members pressed for detail on where positions might be removed and what the effects would be on class size and extracurriculars. Lawson told the board the decisions will involve value judgments about where the district prioritizes services, asking, "What is it that we value as a school system?" He said some cuts could result in larger class sizes at more affluent schools if Blueprint-directed funds flow to higher-need schools.
Leadership said next steps include continued line-by-line refinement, further discussions with county officials for a firm local funding number, and returning to the board one week later with a tighter set of proposals. The board recessed for lunch and planned to reconvene to continue the review.
The work session did not include any formal votes; staff said the board would be asked to consider an updated proposal once county revenue clarity is available.
