Charles County school board approves FY27 budget as educators press for honored contract

The Charles County Board of Education voted Feb. 10 to approve the school systemudget request for fiscal year 2027 following a presentation by Chief Financial Officer Karen Acton and discussion about the districtunding mix and key cost drivers.

Acton told the board the operating request starts from a baseline of about $5.53 billion and represents a 5.2% revenue increase, with the school system asking the county for roughly $15.6 million more and counting on an estimated 12.1% increase from the state. The administration listed mandatory cost increases for health care (about 3.3%), a $3.4 million transportation increase, and a $4.8 million boost to special education as permanent needs. Acton said compensation accounts for roughly 78% of the proposed increase and reported a cost-per-pupil county share of $19,009.71.

The vote came amid repeated public pleas from classroom teachers, Education Association of Charles County (EACC) leaders and AFSCME representatives who urged the board to "fight for" honoring previously negotiated terms with staff. EACC President Sean Heil thanked the district for coordination during weather closures and asked the board to advocate to the county commissioners and at public hearings so "the contract we
lready agreed upon" is funded and implemented as promised.

Teachers in the public-forum portion of the meeting described heavy workloads, rising living costs and mounting attrition that negotiating parties had tried to address. Will Lewis, EACC treasurer and a Saint Charles High School teacher, outlined earlier negotiations that yielded multi‑year stability for higher starting pay; he said educators had later given back gains to help balance budgets and warned that asking staff to sacrifice again would worsen recruitment and retention.

Superintendent Maria Navarro and finance staff said the budget includes a $10.2 million committed use of fund balance and that the district will present options if county funding differs from the request. Navarro also described vacancy savings and one‑time measures the district used this year with the intent of replenishing reserves. Board members pressed staff for details about a single school whose state pass‑through funding declined and asked for MSDE calculations to be explained.

The board approved the budget by roll call. District leaders said the FY27 request is the administrationoundation to carry the four strategic priorities forward: academic readiness, safe inclusive environments, staff recruitment and partnership with families. Navarro told the board she will return with changes if county or state final figures change.

What's next: With the board
pproval, the district will present its balanced budget to the Maryland State Department of Education and seek the county commissioners' appropriation during their spring budget process.