Join Us for Operating Budget Public Hearings

Superintendent Thomas Taylor has proposed a $3.61 billion Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2026, designed to stabilize the school system and prioritize resources for student learning and school support. The recommendation reflects a “Focus on Fundamentals” approach that targets investments directly to schools, supports student success and addresses structural deficits within the system. 

The Board of Education will now hold public hearings and work sessions on the budget. The timeline follows:

• Public Hearings: Thursday, Jan. 16, and Monday, Jan. 27, 2025.
• Work Sessions: Tuesday, Jan. 14, Thursday, Jan. 23, and Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025.
• Board Approval: Tentative adoption of operating budget; Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025.
• Final Adoption: Adjustments based on revenue projections will follow, with final adoption expected Tuesday, June 10, 2025.

Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget website

Stay Informed About Weather-Related Changes 

With winter weather just around the corner, updates to school schedules and operations may sometimes need to be made. To receive the latest information on delays, closures and operational changes, Stay Connected, subscribe to Alert MCPS, and monitor our color-coded status system.

Keep Your Contact Information Current

To ensure you receive timely notifications, please update your contact details via the ParentVUE link on the MCPS Community Tech Support website.

Learn more about the color codes.
MCPS Operating Status Inclement Weather, 2024-2025

Don’t Miss These Upcoming Events

The Special Education Resource Fair: Set for 5:30–7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 15 in the auditorium at Carver Educational Services Center, 850 Hungerford Drive in Rockville. This event is open to all parents who have children with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). MCPS families can learn more from community organizations about after-school activities, summer programs and tutoring.

The Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Fair: Will be held from 6–8:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14 at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG). This event offers an opportunity for students in Grades 8 through 12 and their parents/guardians to meet with representatives from more than 50 HBCUs and participate in workshops. More information

FAFSA/MHEC One Application Completion Event: Set for 6–8:30 p.m. on Feb. 14 at USG, this event is open to all high school seniors and their parents. More information

Dine with Dignity Seeks Donations

MCPS provides meals to all students, ensuring they are ready and prepared to learn in school. The Dine with Dignity program fundraises to address and pay off debt accrued by students while their families wait for approval to receive free meals. A donation to Dine with Dignity supports students continuing to receive nutritious meals and learn alongside their peers. Donate today.

Student Opportunities

SMOB Candidate Filing Period: Students interested in running for the Student Member of the Board of Education (SMOB) may begin filing their nominations at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025. The filing period ends on Thursday, Jan. 23. Students are eligible to run for the SMOB if they are a current Grade 10 or Grade 11 student, enrolled in an MCPS high school, and a Montgomery County resident. Candidate nomination forms can be found on pages 31-32 of the SMOB Election Protocols. Completed forms should be scanned and emailed to Shella Cherry, director, Student Leadership & Extracurricular Activities. More information

Save A Student Summit: High school students are invited to attend from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4, in the Walter Johnson High School auditorium. The summit will educate students on the impact of opioid and fentanyl use and train them on how to use Narcan in an overdose emergency. Students can earn three Student Service Learning (SSL) hours for participating. RSVP. Walter Johnson is located at 6400 Rock Spring Drive in Bethesda. 

SSL Hours Due Jan. 3, 2025

Students who have completed Student Service Learning (SSL) hours since June 1, 2024, should submit the required SSL Activity Verification Form to their school’s SSL coordinator by the recommended due date of Jan. 3, 2025.

All MCPS students must earn 75 SSL hours to graduate from high school. To learn more, click here. Translated information can be found here. 

Students may also access their SSL record, forms, guidelines and other resources at the MCPS SSL Hub for Students/Families.