Frederick County school staff recommend 'Scenario B'—3.5% pay increase, virtual-school pilot and repurposing of positions

The Frederick County School Board on April 14 heard staff present four budget scenarios to close a roughly $9.1 million gap in county funding and to respond to an uncertain state budget. Superintendent Doctor Hummer told the board this was a work session with no formal vote that night but asked the board for a consensus so staff could prepare a resolution for Tuesday.

"As we've mentioned, this is a work session, so there is no vote this evening," Doctor Hummer said, explaining staff would focus discussion on the four scenarios and requested feedback before the next meeting. Miss Anderson, who led the budget overview, said the county had appropriated $9,100,000 after adopting a 53¢ real-estate tax rate; the division had originally asked for $18.2 million from the county.

Why it matters: the board must balance pay, staffing and programs while facing a major health‑insurance funding need and ongoing enrollment growth. Miss Anderson told the board the largest single budget driver this year is health insurance, with staff estimating about $7,100,000 in additional reserves needed to cover claims.

Staff outlined four choices: Scenario A would approximate a 5% average (a range of about 2.8%–7% depending on individual steps) but would require cutting roughly 27 positions and a 15% departmental reduction; Scenario B — the superintendent's recommendation — would provide a 3.5% raise to every employee, repurpose 13 positions so the 16 requested new posts could be added, and reduce departments by about 10%; Scenario C would fund a $1,500 bonus but require deeper operational cuts (including repurposing 16 positions and rifting about 10 positions) and a 3% across‑the‑board increase; Scenario D sat between B and C on raises but would still require significant repurposing and school budget reductions.

Board members pressed on details. Mr. Bell said, "In scenario b, it doesn't look like anyone loses a job in this," prompting staff clarification that many repurposed positions are vacancies and the intent was to avoid involuntary layoffs. Miss Knight, on enrollment and the virtual school, told the board, "We don't currently have the students identified, but we have... 48 families who have expressed interest in this opportunity." Staff said the 25‑student pilot is budgeted at about $120,000 in licensing costs and that ADM (Average Daily Membership) revenue is "just under $7,000 per student," so the program could be revenue‑neutral over time if enrollment materializes.

Several board members said they favored the stability Scenario B offered. "I am also in favor of scenario b and not just because Doctor Hummer says so," said a board member who urged the equitable, across‑the‑board approach as more predictable for retention and community expectations. Others warned that Scenario A's deeper cuts would be disruptive to classroom staffing and program continuity as the division grows.

What came next: staff and the board signaled a consensus leaning to Scenario B; Doctor Hummer asked that any alternative or additional direction be provided before Tuesday so staff could draft a resolution. The board then moved to adjourn the work session; the motion was seconded and passed.

The school board is expected to consider a resolution reflecting the consensus at its next meeting on Tuesday.