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School officials tell Carroll County supervisors capital needs and dwindling federal funds strain budget
Summary
A school system presenter told the Carroll County Board of Supervisors on March 30 that a small net operating increase and the end of multi-year federal grants leave little room for capital projects, highlighting aging buildings, coal boilers and the potential of a 1% sales-tax referendum to fund school capital.
At the March 30, 2026 Carroll County Board of Supervisors meeting, a school-system presenter outlined the divisionbudget, warning that a net operating increase of about $95,000 and the expiration of several federal grants leave the schools with little margin for capital work.
The presenter said the district recently lost more than $1,300,000 in federal funds tied to multi-year programs and that other federal tutoring funds and AmeriCorps positions are ending. "We spent over $11,000,000 of that money," the presenter said of ESSER funds used for roofs, boilers and similar capital repairs.
Why it matters: the division described aging facilities across Carroll County schools, noting a middle-school original section built in 1936 and the newest elementary at about 21 years old, and said the limited capital-improvement allocation (about $332,000 in the operation budget this year) is insufficient to address plumbing, roofing and HVAC risks. The presenter also said two schools still operate on coal-fired boilers.
On transportation, the presenter credited a grant that provided 20 electric buses and said the buses have so far helped offset high diesel costs; the district nevertheless plans to buy two diesel buses in this budget cycle. Board members and school staff discussed battery-warranty life and the need to set aside funds for eventual replacement, with the presenter noting an eight-year warranty on current batteries and offering an illustrative cost-per-mile figure (about $0.37 per mile) cited during the Q&A.
The presenter highlighted the local composite index increase (from about 0.28 to 0.29), which raises the required local effort and reduces state support; staff said the Department of Education has proposed a 2% increase for SOQ positions but that those funds would not cover non-SOQ roles such as aides, bus drivers and custodial staff.
The presenter urged supervisors to consider backing a bill now in the legislature that would allow a 1% local sales-tax for school capital improvement; if enacted and placed on a referendum, the presenter estimated it could yield roughly $3.5to $4.0 million a year in a strong sales year, restricted to capital projects and renovations.
The school official closed by noting the Department of Education will conduct a free facility study next month to prioritize repairs and that the district will return with more-specific capital recommendations once that assessment is complete.
