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Committee votes to keep George B. Thomas Learning Academy funding in county budget; recommends offset from MCPS request
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Summary
After debate over whether MCPS could absorb Saturday school tutoring, the joint committee voted to add the George B. Thomas Learning Academy enhancement to the reconciliation list and recommended subtracting an equivalent amount from MCPS's requested budget to preserve the program's funding.
Montgomery County council committee members moved to preserve funding for the George B. Thomas Learning Academy’s Saturday tutoring program after the executive initially recommended reducing or moving the contract to MCPS.
DHHS and council staff described prior recommendations to right-size the contract (a $190,153 reduction to align with historic spending) and, separately, an executive-transmitted reduction that would have eliminated the contract entirely ($722,579). Committee discussion revealed MCPS told staff it is not prepared to absorb the program immediately and that an MOU would be required before any formal transfer.
Councilmember Friedson made a motion that the committee recommend subtracting equivalent resources from MCPS’s requested operating budget so the county could continue funding the academy through DHHS in FY27. The committee voted and the motion passed in committee (committee record: 3–2 for the motion; one member was not present for the initial vote and later recorded support). The item is on the reconciliation list for full council consideration.
Why it matters: the George B. Thomas Learning Academy provides multi-day tutoring, test prep and STEM programming that community members said functions as "six days of school" for participating students. Committee members stressed the program’s long history and cautioned against abrupt service interruptions for families; several requested that any funding shifts be accompanied by clear MOUs and evidence that MCPS can absorb services before the transfer.
What was decided and next steps: the committee agreed to keep the program funded at a right-sized level for FY27 and to pursue a memorandum of understanding with MCPS in time for future transitions. The reconciliation note will reflect the committee’s recommendation that the full council consider moving the equivalent funds from MCPS to DHHS to guarantee continuity of services.
