ANSWER:

Counselors are allocated to individual schools based on a target ratio of 250:1.  Because enrollment at each school fluctuates from year-to-year, the overall ratio changes slightly.  Small changes in enrollment at individual schools do not warrant additional staffing unless MCPS is unable to maintain the target ratio of 250:1.  However should this occur, additional positions would be recommended in the budget.  Therefore, as long as the target ratio is maintained, staffing remains constant and the systemwide ratio will fluctuate slightly from year- to-year.