Board of Education Update:
June 5, 2026

At its June 4 work session, the Montgomery County Board of Education adopted the $3.72 billion Fiscal Year 2027 Operating Budget. Confronting regional fiscal pressures, the Board closed a final $36 million gap by balancing operational realities with a deep commitment to protecting the classroom. Through difficult trade-offs, the budget preserves core academic programs and restores vital student-facing roles, including school psychologists and college navigators. Beyond financial planning, the Board reviewed third-quarter academic performance, discussed the evolving landscape of MCPS athletics, and outlined "Leveling Up" strategies for the upcoming school year, while introducing new business regarding student screen time and community engagement.

FY 2027 Final Budget | Q3 Academic Performance | MCPS Athletics & Title IX | Leveling Up | New Business

Final Adoption of the Fiscal Year 2027 Operating Budget

The Board adopted a $3.72 billion Fiscal Year 2027 Operating Budget for MCPS. Facing a $36 million shortfall from the district’s original request, the final budget prioritizes protecting classroom instruction, maintaining critical student supports, and limiting the impact of reductions wherever possible.

While 415 positions are affected, 159 are currently vacant, and many impacted staff may be placed into other roles through the involuntary transfer process. District leaders emphasized that difficult decisions were necessary to maintain long-term fiscal stability while preserving the district’s core mission: teaching and learning.

Key Structural Retentions: The adopted budget restores and protects key supports, including school psychologists, instructional support staff, college and career readiness positions, and school safety roles, while continuing investments in student mental health and graduation pathways.

Read the Full Budget Adoption Details

Watch the June 4 Board Meeting & Budget Vote

School Year 2025–2026 Academic Performance (Third Quarter)

The Board reviewed third-quarter academic performance data, which highlighted critical benchmarks as the school year draws to a close.

The update showed continued gains in early literacy, improvement in elementary mathematics, and strong course performance across middle and high schools. Conversely, Grade 6 mathematics remains an area of focused support as MCPS continues using student performance data to strengthen instruction and close opportunity gaps.

Read the Presentation for SY 2025–2026 Academic Performance: Third Quarter

MCPS Athletics Update: Title IX Expansion and the Future of Gymnastics

The Board received an update on MCPS athletics, highlighting strong student participation, continued Title IX compliance, and plans to expand athletic opportunities, including STUNT and middle school flag football.

Staff also reviewed the recommendation to discontinue gymnastics, citing declining participation, coach shortages, and long-term sustainability concerns.

What this means for families: Athletics programs, including gymnastics, will continue during the 2026–2027 school year as MCPS evaluates future program offerings and works to ensure equitable access to athletic opportunities across the district.

Watch the June 4 Presentation of Athletics Update

Leveling Up in 2026–2027 and Beyond

MCPS leaders shared a comprehensive roadmap of key initiatives planned for the next school year aimed at driving academic excellence and operational improvements. Revisions and updates focus heavily on:

• Targeted Grading Practices: Updating systemwide evaluation tools for consistency.
• Student Support Services: Expanding mental health and academic counseling frameworks.
• School Safety Measures: Strengthening security on school campuses.
• Cell Phone Policy: Implementing a new systemwide policy to manage classroom distractions.

The presentation also outlined long-term efforts to improve academic outcomes, operational efficiency, and family engagement as part of the Future Ready Strategic Plan.

Read the Leveling Up Presentation

Board New Business

Auditing Student Screen Time K-8

Board member Julie Yang introduced a new resolution proposing a comprehensive review of digital device usage for elementary and middle school students. Presented for initial Board review and future action, the resolution highlights the need to balance modern digital tools with traditional teaching methods to protect student focus, sleep, and physical well-being.

If approved by a future vote, the resolution would direct MCPS to deliver a formal assessment report to the Board by March 2027 to:

• Quantify Daily Usage: Measure average daily and weekly school-day screen time for K-8 students, distinguishing between instructional and non-instructional use.
• Identify Reductions: Evaluate age-appropriate opportunities to safely reduce screen exposure during the school day.
• Review Content Filters: Assess the effectiveness of district security blocks to ensure students cannot access harmful or inappropriate material on school-issued devices.
• Recommend Districtwide Guidelines: Propose clear, age-appropriate screen time limits and outline the operational impacts of any structural changes.

Read the K-8 Screen Time Resolution Document

Advisory Committee on Communication and Community Engagement Membership

The Board approved a resolution officially appointing the new roster for the Advisory Committee on Communication and Community Engagement for the term running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

The committee is charged with sharpening how MCPS and the Board connect with families on critical district initiatives. For the upcoming school year, their primary focus will be developing and executing a comprehensive communication plan centered around the upcoming elementary boundary study.

Read the Advisory Committee Resolution Document