PGCPS proposes $3 billion FY2027 budget, seeks $50 million county support to close $150 million gap

Prince George's County Public Schools on Feb. 5 unveiled an interim FY2027 proposed operating budget of approximately $3.0 billion that managers say includes a roughly $150 million shortfall the district plans to address through central-office and noninstructional reductions.

Interim Superintendent Dr. Joseph told the board that the stabilization plan prioritizes sustaining instructional quality and sets aside about $110 million for compensation increases while directing investments to special education, literacy, math, safety and security, and AI literacy. The administration said reductions targeted central office discretionary spending to avoid cuts to school-based classroom budgets where possible.

"The proposed FY27 approximately $3,000,000,000 budget is a stabilization plan addressing a $150,000,000 deficit primarily by reducing central office and non instructional costs to prioritize a $110,000,000 in compensation increases," Dr. Joseph said during the presentation.

Chief Howell and other budget staff told the board the district had identified about $148 million in reductions and that proposed "accelerants" — targeted investments intended to improve outcomes — total roughly $35 million. Howell said the district will request $50 million in additional county support for 2027 to enable some of those investments.

Board members pressed staff on the assumptions underpinning the plan, including the district's use of a $40 million salary‑lapse assumption (budgeted savings tied to vacancies) and how quickly vacancies will be filled. Officials said a lower salary lapse assumption reflects more filled positions next year and that, if additional county or state funding is not provided, the district could face deeper cuts.

The board was reminded the budget book (a statutory publication) is available online and that the full board is scheduled to take a vote on the operating budget on Feb. 26. Officials encouraged public review of the published budget book and continued input at a second virtual hearing scheduled for Feb. 12 at 5:30 p.m.