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Management, Budget and Planning → Process and Participation

Process and Participation: We want to hear from you

The MCPS Operating Budget is aligned with the strategic plan of the district to prepare all student to graduate ready to thrive in a changing world. The operating budget includes all of the costs related to operating our 211 schools, including everything from the teachers in the classroom, the bus drivers who transport our students each day, and the staff who manage district operations from central office to every book in our school libraries and classrooms. As MCPS works on developing the superintendent’s recommended operating budget for our next school year, 2026-2027 (fiscal year 2027), it is important to hear from our stakeholders: parents and families, students, staff, and community members.

Operating Budget Process

School district stakeholders may make recommendations on the MCPS Operating Budget at various stages in the budget development process.

Work on the operating budget for the next fiscal year typically begins in the summer, with a preliminary estimate completed by early fall. After considering all requests from MCPS units and reviewing recommendations from principals, executive staff and community members, the superintendent recommends a budget to the Board of Education (“Board”) by the end of December. The Board holds public hearings to gather community comments, then works to finalize the budget proposal, which is submitted to the Montgomery County Council in February.

The County Council has their own process and schedule to develop the operating budget for the entire county, including the school system. In that process, it also holds public hearings before taking action to adopt the budget in June.

The Board then approves the final budget for the school district, which goes into effect on July 1.

Make your voice heard

As a parent or caregiver of a child in school or a student, you have a special interest in ensuring that our students receive the best education possible and is prepared for success in their personal and professional life upon graduation.

As a community member, whether you have children in MCPS or not, the success of the school system should be of concern to you. The quality of the school system attracts residents, as well as business to the county, which affects the taxes required from individual residents. Your taxes finance the majority of MCPS’ operating cost as a public school system, therefore, you should have input in how those funds are spent.

MCPS encourages you to take advantage of the many opportunities available to share your input. These include:

Get involved and learn about your public school system and what it does for the children of Montgomery County.