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Board hears record county boost but flags health-care and service gaps in FY2027 budget presentation
Summary
Chief Financial Officer Mike Stansky told the Anne Arundel County Board of Education the county's proposed budget would deliver the largest single-dollar increase the district has received in decades but left several program requests partially or wholly unfunded and a health-care funding gap that could require large transfers in coming years.
The Anne Arundel County Board of Education received a detailed FY2027 operating-budget presentation from Chief Financial Officer Mike Stansky, who said the county executive's proposal would increase the district's funding by what he described as a record $72.8 million over FY2026.
Stansky said projected state revenue is roughly $19 million higher than last year (about a 3.2% increase) and that the combined revenue picture would leave the district with roughly a 5% year-over-year increase in total operating resources. "That is the largest increase A A C P S has ever received," Stansky said in presenting headline figures.
Board members and district staff used the presentation to identify both opportunities and risks. Stansky warned that the district's health-care costs are growing faster than the proposed county contribution: the county recommended $13 million toward health care this year versus a $20 million request, representing a $7 million cut to the district's ask. Stansky recommended an $8 million transfer from the general-fund balance to the health-care fund to mitigate the shortfall; he said that even with that transfer a multi-year right-sizing effort could require roughly $30 million more in a future budget if claims trends continue.
Board members pressed staff on several operational gaps: partial or absent funding for social-emotional supports (counselors, psychologists, social workers), a reduced laptop replacement request that could affect high-school device availability, and unfilled positions for English-language development and certain special-education requests. Transportation was also discussed as a line item sensitive to diesel prices; staff said a second-quarter transfer could be required if fuel costs stay elevated.
On the capital side, facilities leaders presented the county's proposed capital allocation, which Stansky said is roughly $78.2 million below the Board's request (board request ~ $246M vs. county proposed ~$167.7M). District leaders noted several priority projects that were reduced or deferred, including systemic renovations at several high schools and feasibility or design funding for Rondo Middle School and the Glendale Resource Center.
Why it matters: Board members said the funding increase is a welcome relief after several tight cycles but emphasized it does not remove multi-year pressures. Several members urged continued advocacy to the county council to close remaining gaps and asked staff to prepare conservative scenarios for FY28 and beyond.
What comes next: The board and staff will continue budget work in coming weeks, prepare advocacy materials for the County Council, and bring any required supplemental transfers (including the recommended fourth-quarter health-care transfer) to formal vote. The county council will act on the county executive's budget proposal in its process.
