The Budgeting Process: Where Does the Money Go?
Six months after FCPS had cleared and got rid of a nearly $50 million budget gap, Oakdale and the surrounding FCPS schools are now gearing up to hear the proposal for next year’s budget.
At the start of every school year, the school budget process begins, with the superintendent Dr. Cheryl Dyson and school board planning for the upcoming school year. The goal is to allocate enough funds to meet many different needs across the district. The superintendent’s office works with various departments to determine which programs are necessary to keep around.
The budgeting process relies heavily on the enrollment numbers. “She starts with what’s called maintenance of effort. Which is legally the minimum required amount of money by law that is supposed to be provided to our system, and it’s all based on enrollment, like our September 30th count this year, we do a very important official count of how many students are in the building,” shared Oakdale HIgh Principal Bill Caufield.
“We are constantly behind, we’re growing. And so we’re getting funded for last year’s number of students as a system based on a growth trajectory that’s been very very high in FCPS, “ mentioned Caufield.
The Cuts: Who Pays the Price?
In May 2024, FCPS was faced with the $50 million budget deficit, leading the Board of Education to approve a series of cuts and taxes in an effort to balance the budget. These cuts included a decrease in funding for AP textbooks, teachers jobs, and girls flag football, which held its inaugural season in the fall of 2023.
These decisions sparked outrage in the community. Many school programs were at risk, programs like many band and orchestra groups, virtual classes for many elementary and middle school students, and many more. Many teachers and students protested outside of FCPS central office, with some claiming the programs have saved their lives, and given them a career path.
One of the biggest decisions was the increase in class sizes. “Last year, we were supposed to grow by a certain amount of staff members, but then because of the budget cuts, the board of Education changed the class size formula and we ended up having to cut three and a half teachers,” mentioned Caufield.
In total, the FCPS staff reduced its budget by around $6.9 million and the equivalent of over 83 full time positions.
The Impact on Classrooms
The effects of these cuts are now being shown inside classrooms, with teachers showing various challenges along the way.
“I’ve been grading a lot more on the weekends. I have three different grades. And it’s been a lot to try to keep track of. I’m also planning on weekends, I’m planning over breaks. I’m just trying to stay on top of everything,” shared English teacher Alexia Issaco.
“Teaching an AP course with 35 kids in each class requires a lot in order to keep up with them and give them the same experience as when I had 25 kids in the class. It puts more responsibility on the students to advocate for themselves, but it also makes it easier for those who prefer to stay unnoticed to slip through the cracks.” shared Calculus teacher Mike Gough.
The loss of the SET (Student Enrichment Time) database has further shown these issues. “We don’t have the set database anymore, which allowed for more one-on-one direct attention. Without it, it’s been more difficult to keep the class moving forward while ensuring students receive personalized feedback,” Issaco added.
Teachers Feel the Strain.
According to a recent survey conducted by the Frederick County Teachers Association (FCTA) they were asked whether budget cuts had affected their workload and if they had to work another job in addition to their teaching position. Over 64% of teachers reported that the increased workload had negatively affected their personal lives, and 71% stated they worked a second job to supplement their income.
Despite these challenges, teachers remain committed to their students. “I think we do a pretty good job of adapting, pivoting, and still giving everything we can to provide the best education possible. But I think that the students who are vocal continue to get the support they need, while those who typically need an extra nudge are not receiving as much attention,” said Gough.
What’s Next?
For now, teachers are adapting and doing their best to adapt to this challenge. “ I think everyone’s trying their best to be positive, but then once the decision’s made, we have to work with it. And so I’ve always had the mindset of, fight when it is the time to fight, but when the decisions been made, let’s make the most of what we can do with that.” shared Gough.
The next round of budget discussions resumes on February 12, 2025, where the board will meet up to discuss and approve the FY2026 budget. This request will be forwarded to the county. This decision will play a crucial role in determining the financial future at FCPS.
