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MCPS pitches TechMod as bridgeable but warns CE cut would be one-year fix
Summary
MCPS staff described the FY27 Technology Modernization (TechMod) plan as essential for device refresh, cybersecurity, and classroom infrastructure; staff said $11M unspent from FY26 can bridge one year but the County Executive's $16.9M recommendation would require longer-term adjustments and could not be sustained without future increases.
Kimberly Fields, who introduced herself as chief technology officer for MCPS, told the Education & Culture Committee that TechMod funds support district-wide device refreshes, interactive panels, network upgrades and cybersecurity work that "keeps the district technology current, scalable, sustainable, maintainable, and supportable." Fields said the program also funds training and community engagement tied to classroom use of technology.
Fields outlined FY figures: "For FY '26, $27,300,000 was appropriated with $11,000,000 remaining unspent and will be used for FY '27 TechMod to bridge the FY '26 and FY '27 budgets," and she said the Board requested $33,900,000 for FY27 while the County Executive recommended $16,900,000. MCPS staff cautioned the committee the $11,000,000 is "programmed" for the typical summer refresh cycle for devices and instructional equipment and could provide a one-year bridge, but would not be a recurring solution if the lower recommended level persisted.
Committee staff and members asked how the unspent funds are normally used; Ms. McGuire clarified the $11M covers summer refresh items (teacher laptops, student Chromebooks, smart boards) and that a $16–17M funding level "would not get us through the year" without adjustments. Chair framed the committee's role as reaching an advisory recommendation to the full council; after discussion the committee accepted the County Executive's recommendation on TechMod funding for now and moved on to the next items.
The MCPS presentation emphasized instructional and accessibility reasons for TechMod, citing an OIG Chromebook audit that prompted improved asset inventory processes; staff also said reliable networks and refreshed devices reduce instructional downtime and support mandated assessment delivery.
