Rockville, MD – Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Superintendent Thomas W. Taylor presented a strategic roadmap for the district’s future to the Board of Education on December 5, 2024. The roadmap, informed by extensive stakeholder engagement, addresses critical concerns such as safety, equity and instructional challenges.

Entry Plan Report

The Entry Plan Report, a comprehensive document based on engagement, evaluation, and empowerment, highlights key priorities identified by the community: improving literacy and math skills, strengthening special education support, providing tailored support for English Language Learners, and prioritizing safety and security. The insights gleaned from the Entry Plan will help inform the development of MCPS’s new strategic plan currently underway.

Key Budget Priorities

Taylor also offered a preview of his recommended FY 2026 Operating Budget, which will be released on December 18. Taylor emphasized the need to balance strategic priorities within current fiscal constraints.

The recommended budget will focus on investing in teams, providing direct school support, enhancing collaboration and efficiency through cluster-focused cross-functional teams, expanding support for priority areas, and optimizing resource allocation through responsible budgeting and efficient operations. The budget will prioritize reallocating resources to schools, reducing bureaucracy, and investing in infrastructure to directly support student success.

The full FY 2026 Operating Budget will be released on December 18, 2024. The public is invited to watch the presentation live at 6 p.m. on the MCPS website or on the MCPS-TV YouTube channel.

Public hearings will be held by the Board of Education in January 2025 to gather community input, with a vote on the Board of Education’s Recommended Operating Budget in February. That schedule is posted online.