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Board reviews FY2026–27 budget amid state funding uncertainty, flags $3.88M shortfall and CIP planning
Summary
Finance staff briefed the board on the FY2026–27 proposal, saying county action adds $4.1 million in funding while the state budget remains unsettled; administration recommended personnel additions to fill teaching and support needs, noted a $3.88 million required reduction under current assumptions, and outlined a 10-year capital improvement planning process.
At an informational session, Angie Bland, the division’s finance director, and assistant director Trevor Bennett outlined Montgomery County Public Schools’ proposed FY2026–27 budget and stressed that final state funding remained uncertain after the General Assembly failed to adopt a final budget that evening.
Bland said the county’s recently adopted 5-cent real estate tax increase will provide an additional $4.1 million for the division above the current fiscal allocation, but she cautioned that the division must proceed with current state estimates to meet local budget timelines and contract deadlines. She noted a required $3.88 million budget reduction under the county-adopted assumptions and the current state funding estimate.
Bland said administration recommendations prioritize employee compensation and timely issuance of contracts, and include teacher positions (including CTE marketing and an EMT teacher), instructional coaches, and other school-based roles. She told the board that the amounts listed for recommended positions include benefits.
Board members pressed staff on several points. Dr. Gitri asked whether the division had received official state estimates (Bland said the estimate is from the VDOE calculation tool and remains subject to change until the state budget is adopted). Dr. Gitri also referenced statutory timelines in discussing whether the division must approve its budget by May 15 under certain conditions; Bland explained the timeline depends on whether the state budget is adopted and on county action.
Members discussed relying on contracted services versus hiring employees for mandated services such as behavioral specialists and speech therapists. Bland and staff said contracted services typically cost an estimated 25–30% more than hiring employees, but that contracted services can be used temporarily if hiring is delayed.
On capital planning, board members and facilities staff described ongoing work on a 10-year capital improvement plan (CIP). Mike Brown said the facilities committee has met and the administration is compiling a 10-year CIP that will include cost multipliers for inflation, timelines and financing options, and that a deliverable is expected by August 1. The CIP work will be used to coordinate requests with the board of supervisors and for grant applications such as the SCAP program.
The board set a public hearing on the budget for May 19 and discussed a tentative vote date of May 28; members noted scheduling conflicts with local graduations and leadership clarified that remote participation would be accommodated if necessary.
Separately, the board approved a personnel report earlier in the meeting by a vote of six in favor and one opposed (Miss Franklin voted no).
