Dollars & Decisions - Town Hall Q&A: What You Asked, What We Answered
As Interim Superintendent Dr. Shawn Joseph moves beyond his first 100 days, more than 4,000 staff and 9,000 community members joined FY27 budget town halls to learn about the work ahead: accelerating student success and strengthening the district’s long-term financial stability.
Didn’t make it to the sessions? Here are some top questions and answers shared with families, staff, and community members.
Q: Why does the district need to make difficult budget decisions now?
A: The county projects a $100 million shortfall, the state anticipates its own budget gap, and our federal funding is uncertain. To prepare responsibly, Dr. Joseph has directed Chiefs to identify $150 million in potential reductions for FY27. The priority will be to protect negotiated salary increases, and keep healthcare costs manageable, even as we make hard choices to stabilize and strengthen our district.
Q: Will community schools be affected by budget cuts?
A: Community school funding comes from the state through restricted grant dollars, which are separate from the PGCPS general fund. Budget cuts and reduced spending apply only to the general fund. Community school funding is not part of those reductions; however, community schools receive additional resources that could be affected. Any final impact will be clearer once the Governor releases the proposed state budget in January.
Q: What progress has PGCPS made that informs this year’s budget approach?
A: The district has established five core priorities — the “big rocks” — that guide decisions:
- Strengthening services for students with disabilities
- Expanding support for multilingual learners
- Accelerating reading and math achievement
- Reducing chronic absenteeism
- Expanding dual enrollment and internships
PGCPS has also launched an innovation zone for vulnerable schools, built new performance dashboards, consolidated planning offices for stronger alignment, and expanded parent engagement efforts. These gains shape how the district evaluates investments and reductions.
Q: What will guide PGCPS as it builds the FY27 budget?
A: The approach centers on alignment and strategic investment. Interim Superintendent Dr. Shawn Joseph highlighted six ‘accelerants’ that will anchor FY27 decisions:
- Technology and AI integration
- Safety and security
- Professional development
- Special education
- STEAM
- Employee compensation
To protect these priorities, the district will reinvest where possible and reduce where necessary, guided by transparency, community input, and collaboration with county leaders.
Q: How will PGCPS protect classrooms during reductions?
A: The district is prioritizing cuts outside direct instructional support. Central office and non-instructional costs are being reviewed first, with a focus on avoiding unintended impacts on teachers and students. This process centers on rethinking operations — not reducing what students receive in classrooms.
Q: What guides decisions about what to fund?
A: The district evaluates each request based on:
- Student and school needs
- Alignment with Board priorities and the Strategic Plan
- Impact on student success and strong school operations
Q: Will schools continue to see safety and security upgrades?
A: Yes. Safety remains a top priority. The district is costing out upgrades such as AI-enabled cameras, weapon detection systems, and emergency alert buttons in elementary schools. Every department’s budget submission must include a safety component, and modernized camera systems remain a foundational element.
Q: Could families be charged for credit recovery, AP exams, or dual enrollment?
A: Leaders are reviewing all expenditures, but equity remains central. Any discussion of fee changes would include community input. The district recognizes the importance of ensuring students can access assessments and opportunities that support credentials and college readiness.
Q: What kinds of strategic cuts are being considered?
A: The district is examining several areas, including:
- Eliminating low-cost items such as non-local travel
- Reviewing central office staffing structures and the potential redeployment of some roles to schools
- Evaluating low-enrolled programs that require significant staffing and operational support
- Reducing duplicative services and platforms
- Reviewing contracts, materials, and programs with unclear return on investment
Long-standing programs are being reviewed for impact, efficiency, and alignment.
Q: Why is PGCPS facing a budget challenge when the property tax rate is so high?
A: While the tax rate is high compared to the region, the overall average cost of housing is lower in Prince George's County. This matters because it affects the total revenue the County can generate. Property tax revenue generated by Prince George’s County is not a revenue source for Prince George’s County Public Schools. The County provides the school district with the minimum contribution mandated by Blueprint. As such, the property tax rate has no bearing on the county share of Blueprint funding to the district.
Q: How are County property taxes used to fund PGCPS?
A: The County government's contribution to PGCPS is tied to the Blueprint funding formula. Property taxes can be one of the funding sources the County uses to meet the minimum amount required by this state-mandated formula (part of the Blueprint funding legislation). The County determines exactly how to utilize and allocate its various funding sources to meet this minimum requirement.
Q: Why is the school system’s budget going up if reductions are needed?
A: A larger budget does not always mean greater flexibility. Many costs — teacher salaries, benefits, transportation, utilities, and classroom supports — rise each year and must be paid to keep schools functioning. State law, including requirements under the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, also mandates certain investments. Growth in the budget reflects rising operational needs and legal obligations.
Q: How does PGCPS decide what to fund?
A:The district begins with student needs, incorporates community and staff feedback, and aligns decisions with Board priorities and the Strategic Plan. The goal is to support student success, maintain safe school environments, and ensure strong operations.
Q: Why are reductions or spending freezes being discussed?
A: Costs are rising faster than available revenue. Expired federal relief funds, higher compensation and special education expenses, and the need to rebuild the district’s fund balance make it necessary to slow or reduce spending in certain areas to maintain financial stability.
Q: How will classrooms be protected?
A: PGCPS is reviewing central office budgets and nonessential spending first. The guiding principle is minimizing impact on classrooms, teachers, and core student services.
Q: What is PGCPS doing to stay financially strong long term?
A: The district is:
- Using multi-year financial forecasting
- Reviewing programs, contracts, and operations for efficiency
- Reducing reliance on one-time funds
- Strengthening financial practices and internal controls
Q. What can individuals do to advocate for full funding?
A: The town hall made it clear that minimizing cuts and sustaining key investments, especially teacher pay raises and healthcare costs, requires direct action from the community toward the primary funders at the State, County and Federal levels.
The call to action is for individuals to lobby and engage with their elected officials. This was explicitly highlighted by:
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Board of Education leaders who made a direct plea for the community to join the fight in Annapolis to bring every dollar back to PGCPS.
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The final poll question, where 75% of attendees agreed they were willing to reach out to their Maryland Senator and Delegates about the importance of full funding.
By contacting State lawmakers, community members help ensure that State and County partners honor their funding commitments, allowing PGCPS to execute evidence-based strategies without making deep cuts to student services and programs.
Q: How does PGCPS ensure money is used efficiently?
A: Departments must justify spending and link it directly to student outcomes. Contracts and services are regularly reviewed for cost-effectiveness, and programs are evaluated to determine whether they are achieving intended results.
Q: How can the community share feedback?
A: Community perspectives help shape the final budget proposal. Upcoming public hearings and opportunities to engage around development of the FY27 budget can be viewed here.
>> Learn more about the FY27 budget process by viewing our Dollars & Decisions updates, audio from this week’s town halls, and upcoming opportunities to engage here.