Schools Request Bigger Budget, But Baltimore County Can't Afford It

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — The Baltimore County Board of Education on Tuesday approved its budget request, though County Executive Kathy Klausmeier (D) said there's not enough money to fund the proposal. That means cuts may be necessary.

Baltimore County Public Schools requested a fiscal year 2026 operating budget of $2.98 billion, which The Baltimore Sun said is up 6.5% from last year.

When adding the capital construction budget, The Sun said the request is a 21.7% year-over-year increase. BCPS Superintendent Myriam Rogers, however, has said construction projects hit in even-numbered budget years because of ballot referendums on construction funding.

"Despite the uncertainties about state and federal funding in the upcoming budget year, I am confident that our strong partnership will continue to support quality education for students of all ages as well as good jobs for our hardworking educators and support staff," Klausmeier said in a Wednesday statement, according to The Sun.

The Baltimore Banner said 20,000 BCPS employees would get raises, costing an extra $61.4 million in wages and another $14 million in benefits. This is part of a three-year pay deal struck last year, The Banner reported.

"We fully expect and hope that that promise will be kept," Teachers Association of Baltimore County President Cindy Sexton said, according to WJZ. "It was a promise to all the educators."

The Banner reported that other added expenses include $9.6 million for 32 more special education staffers and $9.4 million for a gas and electric bill.

The budget would also:

• Add more paraeducators and adult assistants.
• Preserve current class size staffing allocations across all grade levels.
• Expand full-day prekindergarten classes across zones.
• Prioritize infrastructure efficiencies and maximize cybersecurity.
• Fund additional athletic trainers.

BCPS wants all but about $20 million of the $127 million in new money available to the county this year, WYPR said. The public radio station said about half of that new money must go toward mandatory costs like employee health insurance and repaying debt, however.

"In this time of great fiscal uncertainty, the Board carefully weighed the significant needs of the system and voted to adopt a budget request that puts students and schools first," school board Chair Jane Lichter said in a Wednesday press release. "We understand the unique challenges our funding partners are facing given the complex FY 2026 budget landscape, and we remain committed to working with county leaders in the coming months to fund an operating budget for BCPS that meets the needs of all students and recognizes the significant efforts of all Team BCPS staff."

The Sun said three board members Julie Henn, Rod McMillion and Maggie Litz Domanowski voted against the budget. The other nine members voted in favor, The Sun said.

Klausmeier will deliver her countywide budget proposal in the coming months, and the County Council must approve her spending plan. The funds must be ready by July 1 to continue county government and school operations.

The BCPS budget request is viewable here.

Related:

• BCPS Budget Cuts Possible, Baltimore County Faces Tough Choices: Report
• BCPS Short $20M In Budget Proposal, Job Cuts Also Planned: Reports