Recommended budget includes funds to manage enrollment growth; implement extended year elementary learning program; expand career readiness opportunities; and increase focus on biliteracy

Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) Superintendent Jack R. Smith is recommending a $2.59 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 Operating Budget that will allow the district to manage continued significant enrollment growth and build the foundation and structure needed to ensure that all students meet their potential and achieve at the highest levels. The recommended budget for FY 2019 is a $67.30 million (2.7 percent) increase over FY 2018.

Read the Superintendent’s Recommended FY19 Operating Budget

Watch the Superintendent’s Operating Budget Presentation 

“My budget recommendation focuses on the foundational elements of our district—students, classrooms and schools,” stated Smith. “This budget addresses increasing enrollment, rising costs and critical investments to both maintain the level of academic excellence our schools are known for and to close the gaps in access, opportunity and achievement for students who have yet to meet their potential.”

For the 2017-2018 school year, MCPS became the 14th largest school system in the United States with 161,546 students enrolled, a one-year increase of 2,536 students. The projected enrollment for the 2018–2019 school year is 163,774. FY 2019 will be the 10th consecutive year that enrollment has increased by at least 2,000 students.

Most of the recommended spending increase will be used to provide the same level of services to this growing number of students; fund ongoing salaries and benefits; and manage increasing operational costs.

The recommendation also includes $7.74 million to expand and implement key bodies of work. This includes:

• Introducing new career readiness pathways, including Aviation and Aerospace; Cybersecurity; Fire Safety and Rescue; Law Enforcement and Leadership; and more

• Adding more two-way elementary language immersion programs

• Expanding programs in Computer Science, Coding and Robotics

• Implementing extended year programs at two elementary schools beginning July 2019

• Launching a Recovery Education program

• Expanding the College Tracks and Achieving Collegiate Excellence & Success (ACES) programs

• Expanding Middle and Early College programs

Read the Highlights of the Recommended Operating Budget

In summary, Dr. Smith’s recommended budget includes—

Dr. Smith’s recommendation reflects the Board of Education’s budget interests and significant input from an array of stakeholders. This included staff, parents, students and community members who were a part of several budget teams and provided input on specific areas of need.

The recommended budget also was built in partnership with representatives from the MCPS employee associations, the Budget Steering Committee and several district and community groups.  

Dr. Smith presented the framework of his budget to the Board of Education during its Dec. 5 business meeting.

“We appreciate the effort and collaboration that helped shape this budget recommendation,” Mr. Durso said. “We look forward to hearing from the public on Dr. Smith’s recommendation, as we seek to build a budget that will help us ensure all students have the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.”

The Board of Education will hold multiple public hearings and work sessions on the operating budget beginning Jan. 4, 2018.

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