Dollars & Decisions — FY27 Operating Budget Status & Next Steps
This is the ninth installment of Dollars & Decisions — a series charting the path ahead toward the FY 2027 budget.
The Prince George’s County Board of Education has unanimously approved the $3 billion FY27 Operating Budget request, and the proposal now moves to the Prince George’s County Executive and County Council for review.
Current Status & Amendments
The FY27 budget is designed to steady the system following $150 million in reductions, with a focus on operations, classroom support, and legal, operational, and student priorities.
Interim Superintendent Dr. Shawn Joseph and the Board of Education considered input from many stakeholders through engagement including a diverse budget advisory group, meetings with district union partners, and public events.
Following the district’s first State of the Schools address in a decade, held in January, the Board conducted three public budget hearings and work sessions in February before adopting and submitting the request.
View the February 26, Board of Education meeting.
Budget Highlights
A key amendment approved by the Board redirects $1.925 million, originally proposed for safety and security upgrades (AI-enabled security cameras), directly back into academic programming. This redirected funding allows the Board to consider programs previously facing proposed cuts, including AVID, Language Immersion, and International Baccalaureate (IB) pathways, for potential continued support.
Additionally, the Board is requesting $50 million in county funding above the required minimum to further stabilize these essential student services.
Equity as the Goal Amid Reductions
“This is a year of recalibration,” said Dr. Joseph. “We are making these reductions with discipline and intention, focusing on teaching and learning, identifying efficiencies, and prioritizing the investments that deliver the greatest impact for students.”
Dr. Joseph emphasized that difficult budget decisions were made through the lens of equity, ensuring the budget is a strategic tool to move the district from “isolated pockets of success” to systemic excellence for all. The goal: to ensure high-quality programming is distributed fairly across the district.
Strategic Oversight & Next Steps
To ensure transparency and academic integrity, the Board of Education activated two strategic workgroups at the Feb. 26 meeting:
90-Day Strategic Realignment Workgroup: Launched March 1 to develop a forward-looking strategy to align resources and explore new revenue options.
2026–27 Academic Program Continuity Working Group: Tasked with safeguarding educational rigor and supporting schools and students impacted by program changes.
The budget request will undergo public review and reconciliation by the County Council through May, with final adoption scheduled for June 2026.
For additional information, visit the FY27 Budget Portal.