MCPS Superintendent Thomas Taylor released a video early Tuesday, informing staff that personnel cuts may be coming as the county council struggles with the budget for fiscal year 2027.
He shared what he called a difficult message.
“There’s no way for us to be completely insulated from the type of financial adjustment that’s coming and it’s a downward adjustment. At the onset of this budget process, we knew that this was going to be a difficult budget year,” Taylor said.
With an increase of $179 million dollars in the MCPS budget, Taylor acknowledged at least 80% of those increases come from salaries and benefits packages. The county council has asked the school system to cut the $179 million dollars over 10 different segments of their current budget.
“None of these are good options and all of these options reduce critical staff and services to children and their families,” Taylor said. “Each reduction presents unique and difficult challenges for us to solve after the fact. It is important for you to know that proposed reductions in any area are not a reflection of the individuals who work very hard in those areas.”
He added that he is trying to keep the cost reductions far away from the classrooms.
“In many cases, you will see that that isn’t even possible,” Taylor said. “If these reductions come to fruition, it will touch every aspect of our school district operations and services to kids and their families. Make no mistake. This will have a significant impact on the service that we are able to provide to our community.”
In the interest of transparency and clear understanding Taylor revealed more.
“An email message has been sent to some of our teammates to let them know that their position or job classification might be listed and considered for a potential reduction,” Taylor said.
He also stating that the email notifications were not final or complete.
“There may be more to come,” said the superintendent.
The county council will take its final budget vote on Thursday, May 21. Superintendent Taylor will make his final presentation for action to the Board of Education by the following Thursday, on June 4.
Taylor’s full speech can be found below.
