MCPS asks for major staffing additions: 688 FTEs for special education, 47 for EML; district proposes CREA, blended learning and cross‑functional teams

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) presented a series of staffing and program proposals to the Education & Culture Committee on April 23 intended to address long‑standing gaps in special education and services for emergent multilingual learners (EML), while expanding CREA and blended‑learning options and embedding central‑office expertise directly in schools.

Superintendent Taylor told the committee the FY26 proposal includes 688 FTEs and an estimated $46.6 million to address shortfalls in services for students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 plans. Of those 688 positions, roughly 500 are paraeducator roles; MCPS said 360 of those reflect transitions of existing temporary part‑time staff to full‑time, benefited positions to reduce churn and improve retention. "We are not solving any problems with special education," Taylor said, stressing that the additions largely…