Commissioners ask for verification of MSDE private pre-K invoice of $406,662.90 and delay payment

County finance staff told Worcester County Commissioners on July 7 that the Maryland State Department of Education had issued a fiscal-year 2026 invoice for private pre-K expenditures totaling $406,662.90. The invoice followed earlier guidance that the county's charge would be zero, prompting extensive questions about program participation and billing.

A county staff member explained the private pre-K budget is tied to participating students certified by MSDE and that a change in local private providers participating triggered the invoice. Commissioners asked how students and slots are certified, which providers participated, where the providers are located, and whether the billed students are verified as Worcester County residents.

Commissioner Matresick (first reference) moved that the county obtain detailed facts: a list of all qualifying private providers in Worcester County, each provider's enrollment capacity and planned slots for the coming year, verification that the students on the invoice are county residents, and tuition amounts for each provider. Matresick amended the motion to withhold payment of the invoice while staff gathers that information; Commissioner Fiore seconded the motion. The motion passed 5–2.

County staff and commissioners clarified that the state blueprint for universal pre-K envisions both public and private providers participating and that county contributions are set amounts per student. Commissioners noted the county has budgeted roughly $1 million for private pre-K next year, but the actual county liability depends on the number of certified slots and participating providers. A staff presentation said the county portion for some tier 1 students is $11,618 per student and that allocations may increase next year. MSDE staff indicated the county was invoiced because private providers newly participated and that verification steps and slot allocations are handled through MSDE.

Commissioners directed staff to return with: provider lists, slot capacities, tuition levels, and residency verification so the board can determine fiscal impacts and confirm whether state and Board of Education allocations match the billed amounts. The invoice carries a due date of March 12, 2027, giving the county time to gather records before final payment is required.