$3.6 billion. While an unfathomable amount of money to most, for MCPS Superintendent Thomas Taylor, it is the necessary price for schools to properly function during the 2026 fiscal year, which runs from July 1, 2026 to July 1, 2027.
“[Budgeting] is one of the best and toughest parts of my job,” Thomas Taylor said. “It is complex, intricate and difficult to prioritize the things that are most important. The number one thing we use the budget for is to pay salaries for staff. But the budget also maintains our buildings, buses and provides meals and supplies.”
Since the budget is so critical to the success of MCPS, Thomas Taylor and his team welcomed input from school leaders, including principals, teachers, parents, students and community members to ensure that the needs of students and staff from all over the county are being recognized and addressed by the budget.
“The current process has been very collaborative, and principals and other community leaders have participated all the way through in highlighting areas of need, and helping to shape our priorities,” WCHS Principal John Taylor said. “I believe that will continue to happen under this superintendent.”
The 2026 budget is $298 million more than the previous request year’s request, marking a 9 percent increase. Thomas Taylor attributes this mainly to inflation, and rising operational costs. Despite its expansion, the budget does not allow for many new initiatives, and will instead address areas of current weakness in the county.
“Unfortunately, there is not a lot that is ‘new’ because this budget is largely focused on strengthening existing priorities,” Thomas Taylor said. “It is not very exciting but by paying salaries and fixing broken things in schools, we are able to provide continuity.”
John Taylor has witnessed first-hand the areas in which the county is falling short and is looking forward to seeing pieces of the budget being allocated to where they are most needed to ensure a positive experience for all students and staff.
“Special education and English language development are critical areas that have suffered from consistent underspending over the last decade,” John Taylor said. “Even more in crisis is the building maintenance and facilities upkeep, which have been underfunded for decades. This budget does a good job highlighting specific needs, and putting the resources where they need to be spent.”
In addition to addressing areas that have been previously neglected, the budget also aims to give staff members competitive pay. Because of this, 89 percent of the budget is delegated to pay salaries for staff, increasing base salaries by 3.25 percent, an extra investment of $186.2 million.
“The pay increase is necessary to help [staff] salaries adjust for inflation and the high costs of housing in our county,” John Taylor said. “These [rates] are in alignment with similar school systems and the county pay raises that have been approved.”
With school safety being a buzzing issue and great concern nationwide, Thomas Taylor added 52 security positions at an investment of $3.198 million. In addition to increasing security personnel, the budget works towards increasing teacher staffing to ensure that students’ individual needs are met and buildings are well maintained.
“[There will be] more resources to support classes, tutoring, resource classes and interventions which will help all students in our building,” John Taylor said. “A significant decrease in the amount of time it takes to fix and repair issues would also improve the experience of being in school and limit the annoying wait for repairs.”
Although the initiatives in the budget proposal seem like efficient ways to improve MCPS, the approval process is far from easy. The process includes four primary steps—public hearings, work sessions, board approval and final adoption.
“[The approval process] will be tense,” Thomas Taylor said. “It is a very large request and I am sure people will have many questions. It will be long and arduous. Sadly, there is not much enhancement in this budget. This budget is far from meeting our needs. Next year’s budget will be very similar.”
In order to improve the MCPS budget each year, it is essential that students provide input about how they think their school and overall educational experience can be enhanced. Any WCHS student with a question, concern or suggestion should reach out to the appropriate channels without hesitation.
“Students, especially at the high school level, have a real voice if they get involved,” John Taylor said. “Students can get involved in the budget sessions by signing up to speak, or just attending and asking questions and advocating. Get involved—this is [the students’] school system, and the decisions made over the next year will have a direct impact on [students’] education.”
