MCBOE Budget Hearing | 9-10-2026

Montgomery Public Schools’ annual FY2027 budget hearing was held September 10, 2026. Chief School Financial Officer Pamela Watkins presented a districtwide budget outlook, including general-fund revenue of about $311.8 million and expenditures of about $317.7 million, with an anticipated year-end general-fund balance of $88 million, or 3.3 months of reserve. She cited rising employee health-benefit costs, limited revenue growth, and declining enrollment as budget pressures. The board also heard that the district completed bond issuance to support construction of Percy Julian High School. Capital-project revenue is budgeted at about $53.5 million, including roughly $29.1 million in state funds and $24.4 million in local funds; advancement-and-technology funding is projected at $19.8 million, about $9 million below the prior year. FY2027 debt service includes approximately $12 million for Percy Julian, and the presentation also addressed debt associated with Capital Heights and a $1.3 million capital match.

The board approved the hearing agenda. Members discussed whether to establish a minimum reserve level as board policy; the CSFO recommended considering one, but no policy or spending action was adopted. No procurement solicitation, vendor selection, or contract award was identified. The presentation emphasized maintaining reserves and planning for future capital needs, including replacement of school technology purchased during the COVID period.