The Baltimore County Parent and Student Coalition responded to BCPS Superintendent Myriam Rogers proposed budget for Y27. Here is their response:
The Baltimore County Parent and Student Coalition continues to hold educational leaders accountable to prioritize students.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE SUPERINTENDENT’S FY27 PROPOSED BUDGET
• Dr. Rogers reiterated her commitment to four priorities:
• academic achievement
• infrastructure
• safety and climate
• highly effective teachers, leaders and staff.
• September 20, 2025, BCPS official enrollment of 108,017 students
• 2,000 fewer than last year and 2,700 below projections.
• Why is this important? Funding from federal, state, and local sources depends on student counts, so losing 2,000 students could mean $14 million less funding.
• Dr. Rogers and other Maryland superintendents have asked the Governor to maintain current funding levels despite the drop in enrollment. Why continue funding for students who are no longer enrolled? Since 2020, BCPS has continued to lose students. 2019 student count was115,038. Each year from 2008 to 2019 saw a steady increase of 10,000 students annually.
• Dr. Rogers reported that wages and benefits for the 19,000 employees account for 82% of the operating budget. Dr. Rogers explained that compensation was the most significant concern raised in the stakeholder budget priority survey and has committed to fully funding the contracted compensation package
• $28.1 million for year two
• $64.9 million for year three.
• This leaves a $47 million gap between the $93 million needed and the projected $46 million additional revenue for FY27.
• This gap could grow by another $14 million if BCPS does not receive “hold harmless” provisions, potentially reaching a funding gap of $61 million in total.
• In the end, just 12% of the budget remains available for potential savings.
• Reductions were made in the FY27 proposed budget in the built in costs which include transportation (bus contracts and fuel), utilities and telecommunications, insurance premiums, technology licenses and software fees, instructional materials (textbooks, digital content), and facility management.
• The utilization of Fund Balance will increase to $50 million, representing a 32.3% increase from the prior year. It should be noted that reliance on a one-time fund balance may not constitute a sustainable approach for financing ongoing expenses, including salaries.
• The FY27 proposed budget will cut nearly 594 positions totaling $59 million to fund other budget priorities. Nearly 325 positions are tied to the change in the staffing allocation formulas, and 111 school-based positions are tied to enrollments (including assistant principals, secondary reading specialists and staff development). Class sizes for grades 1-12 will increase to an average of 25 going against one of the top priorities identified by stakeholders.
• BCPS reviewed contract spending to identify opportunities to cut costs by reducing, eliminating, or renegotiating contracts for better rates.
In summary, the cost-saving measures of FY27 Proposed BCPS Budget:
• Reducing staff positions
• Offsetting costs with grants
• Decreasing IT expenses
• Adjusting staff allocations—which results in larger class sizes
• Utilizing the fund balance.
CALL TO ACTION—It’s important for every member to use their voice and support students
• You can sign up to give PUBLIC COMMENT on the Proposed FY27 BCPS Budget. Registration closes on Monday Jan. 19 at 3 p.m. The meeting for public comment will take place on Tuesday Jan.at 6:30pm in the Board of Education room on the Greenwood Campus in Towson. Public Hearing – Superintendent’s Proposed FY2027 Operating Budget
• BCPASC has been advocating for an External Comprehensive Financial Audit of BCPS. The primary objectives of an external audit are to maintain transparency and accountability in financial reporting. Such an audit may detect fraud, waste, abuse, errors, misstatements and provide a report about BCPS financial health.
• The County Council has the authority to initiate an External Comprehensive Financial Audit.
We ask you to email your representative and request an external financial audit of BCPS.
District 1: Councilman Pat Young, council1@baltimorecountymd.gov
District 2: Councilman Izzy Patoka, council2@baltimorecountymd.gov
District 3: Councilman Wade Kach, council3@baltimorecountymd.gov
District 4: Councilman Julian Jones, council4@baltimorecountymd.gov
District 5: Councilman David Marks, council5@baltimorecountymd.gov
District 6: Councilman Mike Ertel, chair, council6@baltimorecountymd.gov
District 7: Councilman Todd Crandell, council7@baltimorecountymd.gov
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• Finally, we recommend following Board of Education members on Facebook. Some members take the time to research and share their findings transparently with the public
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