FY2026 Budget
The budget adopted by the Washington County Board of Education is a financial plan (estimate), normally for a fiscal year (July 1–June 30), that matches all planned revenues with planned expenditures of the school system. The FY2026 budget is for the period from July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026.
BUDGET PRIORITIES FY2026
The Board of Education adopted its budget priorities for FY2026 on October 25, 2024. The priorities align with the four priorities of WCPS' strategic plan, Your Journey, Our Commitment. They include:
- CULTURE, SAFETY, AND WELLNESS
WCPS will create a safe, engaging, and supportive learning environment for each student and staff member. - STUDENT SUCCESS
WCPS will engage each student in authentic, rigorous learning experiences to prepare them with the skills, knowledge, and habits to maximize student success. - ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY
WCPS will identify and address barriers that impact student learning and success. - COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
WCPS will partner with caregivers and the community to develop strong and meaningful connections, creating opportunities for each stakeholder to feel valued, heard, and be actively engaged in support of student success.
APPROVED FY2026 GENERAL FUND BUDGET CALENDAR
| SEPTEMBER 2024 | |
|---|---|
| 09/03/24 | WORK SESSION: FY26 Budget Priorities |
| 09/17/24 | Consideration of FY2026 Budget Priorities |
| OCTOBER 2024 | |
| 10/15/24 | Approval of FY2026 Budget Priorities |
| 10/17/24 | Superintendent's Cabinet submits prioritized list of needs with costs (including school initiatives and any mandatory FY2026 Master Plan initiatives) and list of reductions and redeployments to Superintendent and Finance |
| NOVEMBER 2024 | |
| 11/05/24 | Prepare preliminary draft of the Superintendent's Draft FY2026 Budget for internal discussion (with State and local aid estimates) |
| DECEMBER 2024 | |
| 12/03/24 | Superintendent's Cabinet Budget Discussion |
| JANUARY 2025 | |
| 01/08/25 | WORK SESSION: FY2026 General Fund Budget Discussion |
| 01/15/25 | WORK SESSION: FY2026 General Fund Budget Discussion |
| 01/17/25 | Receive preliminary FY2026 State Aid calculation from Maryland State Department of Education |
| 01/21–24/25 | Incorporate state revenue estimates into budget draft and determine excess or shortfall |
| 01/24/25 | Notify County Administrator and Chief Financial Officer of preliminary financial request |
| 01/28/25 | WORK SESSION: Superintendent's FY2026 Draft Budget |
| FEBRUARY 2025 | |
| 02/04/25 | Work Session: Superintendent's FY2026 Recommended Budget |
| 02/18/25 | Adopt Board's FY2026 Recommended Budget for Public Hearing |
| 02/19/25 | Send updated Board of Education's Draft Budget for Public Hearing |
| 02/21/25 | Make copies of the Board of Education's FY2026 Draft Budget available to the public |
| 02/24/25 | Budget Advocacy and Review Committee discusses the Board of Education's FY2026 Draft Budget and begins developing recommendations for the Board of Education |
| 02/25/25 | Joint Meeting: Board of Education and Washington County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) Board of Education presents FY2026 Draft Budget for discussion with the BOCC |
| MARCH 2025 | |
| 03/05/25 | Budget Advocacy and Review Committee discusses Board of Education's FY2026 Draft Budget and finalizes recommendation to Board of Education |
| 03/18/25 | Budget Advocacy and Review Committee presents recommendations on the FY2026 Draft Budget to the Board of Education |
| 03/18/25 | PUBLIC HEARING: Board of Education's FY2026 Draft Budget |
| APRIL 2025 | |
| 04/01/25 | WORK SESSION: BOE Draft FY26 General Fund Budget Update |
| 04/08/25 | WORK SESSION: BOE FY26 General Fund Operating Budget Update |
| 04/15/25 | Board of Education adopts Board Approved FY2026 Budget to present to the Washington County Board of County Commissioners |
| 04/18/25 | Provide copies of the Board Approved FY2026 Budget to the Washington County Board of County Commissioners, make copies available for public review, and post on WCPS website |
| 04/18/25 | Receive Final FY2026 State Aid Report |
| 04/25/25 | Revise revenue projections per final iteration of State Aid Report |
| MAY–JULY 2025 | |
|
TBD |
Other meetings as necessary |