Talbot County Council approved a total FY27 schools appropriation of nearly $65M between operating and capital costs.

In a vote on Tuesday the Talbot County Council finalized the FY27 budget with a $1.3M operating fund increase to the local school system and an additional $400K in discretionary funds for school security. These increases come despite continued declining enrollment across Talbot County Public Schools (TCPS), underscoring the county governments commitment to public school education. Additional allocations directly to TCPS include covering ongoing debt service, auxiliary operating funds, and an increased cost share from teacher pensions as a result of a state cost shift. This brings the total operating allocation for Talbot County Public Schools to $63M.

According to a discussion between local officials during the final budget vote, originally the additional $400K appropriation was to cover half of an $800K, last minute request from the school system and was contingent on the school system providing a match. While TCPS did agree to tap $3M of an $8M fund reserve, they declined to contribute the additional $400K that was agreed upon. Despite some deliberation, the county held up their end of the deal, and included the $400K in the budget that was passed.

This, above, portion of the budget however, does not include the additional $1.8M in capital funds that were also approved, bringing the sub-total in ongoing capital appropriations to the school system to $31M. The additional $1.8M will go towards a roof replacement at Easton Middle and exterior improvements for the Education Center.