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Worcester County board adopts revised FY27 budget after $2.876 million cut; dual enrollment and RISE reduced
Summary
After county commissioners reduced the system's appropriation, Worcester County Public Schools adopted a revised FY27 budget that trims about $2,876,834 from the proposed plan, cutting dual enrollment, delaying device replacements and deferring an executive hire to preserve pre-K and negotiated salary increases.
The Worcester County Board of Education voted to adopt a revised fiscal year 2027 operating budget that reduces planned spending by $2,876,834 after the county commissioners approved a smaller appropriation.
Superintendent Dr. Wallace told the board the shortfall was not the result of poor planning but of the commissioners' decision: "A shortfall of this magnitude cannot just simply be absorbed without consequence," she said, adding the revisions are "painful" and will be felt across the system.
Why it matters: The cuts affect classroom programs, extracurricular and support services and district operations, while the board prioritized maintaining negotiated salary increases and certain early‑learning services. Staff said they worked to protect core instruction but had to recommend reductions in multiple line items to balance the budget.
What changed: Budget staff listed specific reductions and deferrals. Mr. Tolbert said the revised plan includes a $300,000 reduction in dual‑enrollment funding, elimination of a planned new RISE program (amounts listed in the packet), and deferral of roughly $218,900 in planned iMac replacements. The district also cut proposed increases in substitute pay ($175,000), delayed two replacement vehicles ($60,000), reduced summer and after‑school funding and trimmed instructional materials and other contractual services across departments. To preserve pre‑K3 programming tied to an $800,000 expansion grant, the district recommended deferring hiring a new chief operating and human relations officer for six months to realize savings of about $87,706.
Officials described operational impacts: Staff said delayed device replacements will keep machines functional but prevent future updates after December, limiting their use for activities that exchange personal student information or run current software. Dr. Weiss warned that a roughly $300,000 reduction in dual‑enrollment funding will mean fewer available credits beyond the state's required four credits per year and that families will be notified.
Board discussion and vote: Board members pressed staff on alternatives to program cuts and asked whether additional central‑office positions could be trimmed instead. Staff replied that central‑office reductions were made where feasible but that further cuts to school‑based positions would harm instruction. After discussion, Mr. Smack moved and Mr. Buchanan seconded the motion to adopt the revised FY27 budget; the board voted in favor.
What comes next: Once adopted by the board, the revised budget will be forwarded to the county commissioners as part of the normal appropriation process. Staff noted any additions later in the fiscal year would require a formal budget amendment and a public hearing.
The board also emphasized it will continue to advocate with county officials and seek grant funding and other efficiencies to limit further impacts on students and staff.
