[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6379488,"mediaKeyId","2135916-ba6110e4dfd2743d3ac1aedfd29d3ee8","parentId",2135916,"title","BCPS superintendent presents $2.98 billion FY2026 operating budget request, asks county for $100.3 million increase","audioSeconds",5832,"startMs",2227000,"endMs",8059000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2135916-ba6110e4dfd2743d3ac1aedfd29d3ee8&start=2227&end=8059","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2135916-ba6110e4dfd2743d3ac1aedfd29d3ee8/thumbnail_2227000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6379488/Maryland/BCPS-superintendent-presents-298-billion-FY2026-operating-budget-request-asks-county-for-1003-million-increase","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6379488-a417e8f35a66285e1cff12a422c71e0e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771130336&Signature=bq6rwYSQx3HwNwBn~qxJVEiM2B3K4RszVHQ9jTyNCLTjV1fD2rbEWFiHZa41n0mYNduo3LM18qZ1Gvw4iAejvpFs8-Y952PG5Bqxj8AdCdRe-nLRqXs8O4qB5CR~WuogfKulvWVCksOcneSwh1yBA7zvrKSNhvCxjc0PjxEe6kLK6H30YNeNoQB7hacIwHyfGR2a50GmQbWjTw-4uZmg9pGpUzogwERnjxXeLRLsKI7q9k5rJF6YdNVaD~9sjyggXB~a9i5wYb8-49bcbzCmSpN0P45Y2Lw9nULzUfdqGmjGuayH17ppRPyV4BPWOGP7~M36aPm1THggIrH6S-tg3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Baltimore County Public Schools","date","2025-01-14T00:00:00Z","article","Superintendent Dr. Rogers formally presented Baltimore County Public Schools' proposed fiscal year 2026 operating budget on Jan. 14, asking the Board of Education to request $100.3 million from the county to fund a $2.98 billion operating plan.

The proposal requests $2.10 billion in general fund spending and lists $2.98 billion across all operating sources. Dr. Rogers told the board she recommends the budget after a multi‑month stakeholder process that included surveys, principal input and community conversations and said the district is following an \"engage, empower, and excel\" approach in aligning resources to student needs.

The nut of the request is that fiscal pressure and required investments collide: the recommendation includes $61.4 million for employee compensation (including contractual and substitute adjustments), $14.1 million for related employee benefits, and $23.2 million in targeted special education funding. The superintendent singled out projected utility increases — a $9.8 million rise in gas and electric — as a material new cost driver for FY2026. The budget also authorizes a modest expansion of full‑day prekindergarten (seven classes across four schools) and continued investments in curriculum, professional learning, multilingual learner services and safety systems.

Dr. Rogers said the budget process began in September and emphasized that the recommendation reflects 0‑based budgeting and line‑by‑line reviews across divisions. She told the board the operating ask represents county funding 10.4% above last year and 10.9% above the statutory maintenance‑of‑effort level, excluding one‑time expenditures. The superintendent said district staff identified approximately $26.3 million of internal savings for FY2026 (in addition to more than $100 million of savings identified last year) to offset some increases.

Key line items called out in the presentation include:
- Compensation and benefits: $61.4 million for salary adjustments and $14.1 million for benefits, totaling $81.5 million for employee compensation and related costs.
- Special education: $23.2 million to add regional teachers, 26 paraeducators, assistive technology ($350,000), extended school‑year unmet need ($110,000), and higher related services and nonpublic placement costs (raising the budgeted related services by $4.2 million).
- Utilities and facilities: an estimated $9.8 million increase for gas and electric and continued funding for building maintenance and contract buses.
- Safety and climate: moving the OmniAlert weapons detection system to operating funding and adding three athletic trainer positions.
- Infrastructure and cybersecurity: one‑time funds for enterprise resource planning work, network upgrades at aging elementary sites and network security software.
- Prekindergarten: funding for seven new full‑day pre‑K classes at Owens Mill, Padonia, Lyon Mill and Rossville elementary schools, including 12.8 FTEs and $830,000 in one‑time startup costs.

Dr. Rogers told the board that the FY2026 recommendation is a “no‑frills” budget aimed at preserving classroom staffing formulas and honoring the district’s multi‑year compensation agreement. She said retaining and recruiting educators was the top stakeholder priority captured in earlier surveys and meetings. The superintendent also highlighted recent student progress measures — reductions in chronic absenteeism, MAP reading and math gains, and improved Maryland Report Card star ratings — as the rationale for continued investment.

Chairwoman Jane Lichter reminded the public that a virtual public hearing on the proposed FY2026 operating budget is scheduled for Jan. 21 at 6:30 p.m. and asked the community to submit written questions by Jan. 22 for the board’s Jan. 28 work session. \"We will hold a public hearing on the proposed budget on January 21st,\" Lichter said during the meeting.

The board did not take a vote on the operating request at the Jan. 14 meeting; the superintendent asked members to submit questions in writing ahead of the Jan. 28 work session for further discussion.

Ending: The superintendent’s presentation set the calendar and numbers for the coming county budget process: the board is expected to approve a final school system request for transmission to the county executive on Feb. 25, with county and council review through May and final funding decisions by the county in late spring.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Meeting - Jan 14, 2025 ","oneSentenceSummary","Superintendent Dr. Rogers formally presented Baltimore County Public Schools' proposed fiscal year 2026 operating budget on Jan. 14, asking the Board of Education to request $100.3 million from the county to fund a $2.98 billion operating plan.","taxTitle","Baltimore County Public Schools, School Boards, Maryland","taxId",17213,"location","Maryland","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6379470,"Parents and advocates urge BCPS to act on indoor air quality and student supports; student council reports budget and outreach challenges",610,1600000,2210000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2135916-ba6110e4dfd2743d3ac1aedfd29d3ee8&start=1600&end=2210","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2135916-ba6110e4dfd2743d3ac1aedfd29d3ee8/thumbnail_1600000.jpg","/articles/6379470/Maryland/Parents-and-advocates-urge-BCPS-to-act-on-indoor-air-quality-and-student-supports-student-council-reports-budget-and-outreach-challenges","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6379470-b7dcdf01d143baa1ebd64e23ef644e5c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771130337&Signature=mxbgpWsmRrI8-m7KcXkig-yvjy8NqBsrm7JDlkJkuuD20v-a714oUxzBI5iAl5Om8uiyhejBCleV4A5Y5Vfj82uYEJDGZDbQJmXkyXQ7jAD9CAifGoJqQOgamRitcJcePnwi5CC5DwoMIwVOnMRjYn7BpMVnJVrCrfuZZXrr4pND3PX6lDJNXHCK4OSOyxmGW5xoczbCwEoG3N~kii8Rg6DShVRjGln8GlspCYsXEVw-xPbRmShxm9nilVKYp0LXtShI5dvDM3jmjQu2IzarMh0f5NcFLRT3b3pbXq-dHZBmfAF6dP5kDgmEqJRmrbVL1rfVouaYO9km-S9Rc~I1bw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Community members and organizations spoke during public comment on Jan. 14, urging the board to address indoor air quality, student safety, and support for student leadership and school programs.

Adam Van Bable, founder of Maryland Indoor Air Quality Advocates (MYACCA), urged BCPS to prioritize classroom air monitoring and portable air filtration, saying indoor air quality affects students with disabilities and chronic conditions and arguing the district could implement measures with private donations, grants or a modest family fee. He cited examples of other districts that used ESSER funds to deploy units and said improved air quality can reduce absenteeism and improve learning outcomes.

Several speakers also raised student safety concerns. Tiana Patterson described incidents at a middle school involving physical harassment of boys by girls and social‑media threats; she asked the board for help and offered to collaborate on programs. Other public commentators, including community school facilitator Daryl Perry and Marietta English of the Baltimore County NAACP, praised school partnerships and arts programs, highlighting positive impacts on student outcomes.

Jordan Sockheld and Forsythe Oganbe, representing the Baltimore County Student Council (BCSC), reported on student leadership work: general assemblies, virtual seminars on mental health and school safety, and student outreach activities. The student council said budget constraints forced its next general assembly to be virtual because of reduced central funding for meetings and transportation.

Kelly Olds, TABCO vice president, thanked the district for budget briefings and reiterated the union’s interest in funding negotiated compensation agreements to retain educators. The PTA Council’s Andrea Broadwater encouraged engagement with statewide Free State PTA legislative advocacy and promoted a Jan. 30 general meeting and Feb. 17 legislative advocacy day in Annapolis.

Ending: Several speakers asked for district follow‑up; chair and staff offered to connect commenters with staff for school‑specific concerns and to provide follow‑up information on indoor air quality options and student support programs.","Speakers during public comment urged the board to adopt indoor air quality measures (portable air filters, monitoring), asked for stronger responses to student safety and harassment, and highlighted student council activities and funding constraints. TABCO and PTA Council also urged support for educator compensation and legislative engagement.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6379475,"Board accepts policy review committee recommendations; second reading of two policies approved",92,3264000,3356000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2135916-ba6110e4dfd2743d3ac1aedfd29d3ee8&start=3264&end=3356","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2135916-ba6110e4dfd2743d3ac1aedfd29d3ee8/thumbnail_3264000.jpg","/articles/6379475/Maryland/Board-accepts-policy-review-committee-recommendations-second-reading-of-two-policies-approved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6379475-4b8bc02313ab2add7ff80994b0b31f15/orig.mp4?Expires=1771130336&Signature=DuyYGqhSKM3CM3WqLqVp2VpfMn~qH8830-7YtUItKDCcdTuxKeTmu~2RtyMPwgRUXq2lOyK9J~wh3egRMndlLTbbAcAptf9bfSD0tgrfZ~WNVgzS7cchkBnWev4Z2jjLQ0QcH39XYTUQunAnzrodgHabC3NwrTSukf3euK4n5QIubl3-Qz2yksOkUPbwAJ7vu9otreKYj8qHPxZG31A6WyfepBZzgSG~ht9jkH38Oqpf1J8sKGgYZ1rjgZQR3pDuqamWIFS52TPBFcjy3T6Jx~QMoA9CWzAbc2zLz7J5kWPTSu1GRSM0rJe-mAd2Yq3I-kNoZ0kmlJSoMn6acxyWyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Education accepted the policy review committee's recommendations and approved second‑reading amendments to two board policies at the Jan. 14 meeting.

Christina Pumphrey, chair of the policy review committee, asked the board to accept the committee's recommendation to amend Board Policy 0 300 (Equal Employment Opportunity) and Board Policy 8330 (Minutes). The policies were presented as exhibits J1 and J2. The motion to accept the committee recommendation carried by roll call vote; the board recorded \"yes\" votes from members present.

No separations or amendments were requested during the floor discussion; because the recommendation originated in committee, no second was required for the motion. The board confirmed the committee's edits as presented and directed staff to update the district policy repository with the revised policy language.

Ending: The amendments were approved on second reading and will be reflected in board docs and the district policy manual.","The Board accepted the policy review committee's recommendations and approved second‑reading amendments to Board Policy 0 300 (Equal Employment Opportunity) and Board Policy 8330 (Minutes).",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6379479,"Board approves personnel matters and two assistant principal appointments",192,242000,434000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2135916-ba6110e4dfd2743d3ac1aedfd29d3ee8&start=242&end=434","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2135916-ba6110e4dfd2743d3ac1aedfd29d3ee8/thumbnail_242000.jpg","/articles/6379479/Maryland/Board-approves-personnel-matters-and-two-assistant-principal-appointments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6379479-cd6d5192f89ac1dce6c59ba2d62be646/orig.mp4?Expires=1771130336&Signature=ljK~oCf255CfeMEmmqd3YWq6zzRmgAvebdfwkW--T0PbxJh8sM~Nh-m5q2ZgPuxi79OqRf~OWBtttylrWcuVac7REI4E7M53i9v-4vhi4PDcMr3o26OeRyybDVd0X7p8Fe7CR5~I81AdH12WWT5LtSwZsyhHZro2Uo2PaiulyE3mHdIVvFlZc379v0HaTq8OMCx61i87v~TvBqZr26N~FCAXXgdPmWhd8~5jFdWnN8ELsvC-7A7mxLBaAMbADthftRd6lUo5kd7~z7jh12QgpskREaMTdjtGYBXpRHirxKz7TB2mIFW3Cuha7uXe82lZlE-gUeIKWLTgrFfZHPcJ0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Education approved a bundle of personnel items and confirmed two administrative appointments at its Jan. 14 meeting.

The personnel consent items included retirements, resignations, leaves, ethics review panel appointments, recognition of deceased employees and certificate appointments as presented in exhibit B1 through D6. The board approved those items by roll call vote following a motion and second; all members present voted yes.

Superintendent Dr. Rogers then presented administrative appointments (exhibit E1). The board approved two assistant principal appointments: Christine (last name not read into the record) to Patapsco High School and Tracy Raymert to Catonsville High School. Both appointees were asked to stand; Dr. Rogers noted Christine is attending with her mother Toni and that Tracy Raymert was attending with her husband Joseph. The superintendent summarized professional experience for each appointee (years with Baltimore County Public Schools and prior roles) and congratulated them.

Ending: The board confirmed the personnel and administrative slate by roll call; staff will update board records and notify affected school communities of the administrative assignments.","The Board approved retirements, resignations, leaves, ethics appointments and administrative appointments including two assistant principals — one at Patapsco High School and one at Catonsville High School — by roll call vote.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6379483,"Board approves contract extensions for relocatables after discussion of spending authority and lease timing",475,3493000,3968000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2135916-ba6110e4dfd2743d3ac1aedfd29d3ee8&start=3493&end=3968","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2135916-ba6110e4dfd2743d3ac1aedfd29d3ee8/thumbnail_3493000.jpg","/articles/6379483/Maryland/Board-approves-contract-extensions-for-relocatables-after-discussion-of-spending-authority-and-lease-timing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6379483-40c80d64766750aed9a5238199aa3aef/orig.mp4?Expires=1771130336&Signature=Qkz8hYu1KwcsLt96B3~UeTQ-F83n8u-Cy2~oIwmmtjxcBy0HFmqpRuV5JSM~cuYERp3ee0pU4IEAO3LgPCdDIe383ZCTwsJoFoLLgs40GbzyZoJM0g6uGXh5~CIAfHjflQSQvGFg9mFYSKagyL0lsez8Tsyae6wusINTpj~d4ykIncQnNJFI7wXBLmPh1vbhP7vbsLW~djKe6CQA-PeBzheO4v9JrMpWxuF0zY8-417oSGlWmDQryQie7NTUlrAdAZfgV3hzSia7xUV6FyAKYqfMlSAS2lvr~dgSPMzUh2sMXwsy68kuRMinMjglf9jzItPs0mwdxvm-7TCjjigh1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Board of Education approved the building and contracts committee recommendations for contract awards on Jan. 14, including two separated items that extend spending authority and lease contracts for relocatable classroom units.

Chair of the building and contracts committee, Mr. Young, said items M1 through M9 were forwarded to the full board. The board voted to approve M1–M5 and M8–M9, then took up separated items M6 and M7, which were discussed and approved after questions from Board member Miss Domonowski and others about whether the extensions signaled growing need or were a short‑term measure to allow rebidding.

District staff and facilities director Chris Roberts told the board relocatables are used for capacity relief in overcrowded schools and for short‑term needs such as prekindergarten expansion. Staff said the five‑month extensions give time to rebid contracts rather than immediately commit to long multi‑year leases. The district also explained that while capital projects reduce long‑term relocatable needs, some relocatables become near‑permanent because of programmatic needs at individual schools.

Board member Miss Henn asked about state funding that supports relocatable needs; staff said there is a separate state funding stream for relocatables but did not provide the exact fund name during the meeting and offered to follow up. The district confirmed that day‑to‑day classroom relocatables are typically funded from the operating budget while larger modular units tied to capital projects may be funded by capital dollars.

The board approved the motions by roll call; the items passed with recorded \"yes\" votes from members present. The contracts committee will proceed with rebidding and the facilities office will continue inventory planning to reduce long‑term reliance on relocatables as capital projects deliver permanent seats.

Ending: Board members asked staff to report back on funding sources and to explain how relocatables fit into the capital improvement plan and state funding streams when the rebid timeline is set.","The Board approved items M1–M9 and separately approved M6 and M7, which extend spending authority and leases for relocatable classroom units for five months while the district rebids contracts. Board members asked about funding sources and long‑term plans to reduce reliance on relocatables.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

BCPS superintendent presents $2.98 billion FY2026 operating budget request, asks county for $100.3 million increase

Parents and advocates urge BCPS to act on indoor air quality and student supports; student council reports budget and outreach challenges

Board accepts policy review committee recommendations; second reading of two policies approved

Board approves personnel matters and two assistant principal appointments

Board approves contract extensions for relocatables after discussion of spending authority and lease timing