The Board of Education and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Mark Bedell have proposed the following amendments to the Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget put forward by Dr. Bedell on December 18, 2024. The amendments were considered and voted on by the Board at its February 19, 2025, meeting. Board votes on teh amendments can be found below.

SUPERINTENDENT’S RECOMMENDED AMENDMENTS

AMENDMENT 1 (PASSED 8-0)
Adjust Revenue and Expenditures based on the Governor’s Proposed Budget:
Concentration of Poverty – Increase by $451,811
Transitional Supplemental Instruction – Increase by $5,961
College & Career Readiness – Decrease by ($190,700)
Workforce Development – Decrease by ($31,390)
National Board Certification – Increase by $1,083,200

Impact: Increases the FY2026 Operating Budget recommendation by $741,750 in the Mid-Level Administration category, $2,959,597 in the Instructional Salaries & Wages category; decreases by ($845,269) in the Instructional – Textbooks & Supplies category, ($2,389,058) in the Other Instructional Costs category; increases by $146,110 in the Student Personnel Services category; decreases by ($19,094) in the Student Health Services category, ($128,250) in the Student Transportation Services category; increases by $41,262 in the Operation of Plant category; decreases by ($1,500) in the Maintenance of Plant category; and increases by $813,334 in the Fixed Charges category, for a net increase of $1,318,882.

AMENDMENT 2 (PASSED 8-0)
In accordance with the Governor’s Proposed Budget and the proposed reduction to Collaborative Planning Time, remove the program enhancement for Blueprint Mandated Collaborative Planning Time, thus reducing the budget by $13,421,100.

Impact: Decreases the FY2026 Operating Budget recommendation by ($9,876,020) in the Instructional Salaries & Wages category, ($48,510) in the Instructional – Textbooks & Supplies category, ($51,590) in the Other Instructional Costs category, and ($3,444,980) in the Fixed Charges category for a total of $13,421,100.

AMENDMENT 3 (PASSED 8-0)
In accordance with the Governor’s Proposed Budget, increase the budget by $9,100,000 to account for the state retirement shift to the local jurisdiction.

Impact: Increases the FY2026 Operating Budget recommendation by $9,100,000 in the Fixed Charges category.

AMENDMENT 4 (PASSED 8-0)
In accordance with updated County figures, increase the budget by $1,327,600 to account for increased Insurances and Worker’s Compensation.

Impact: Increases the FY2026 Operating Budget recommendation by $73,800 in the Student Transportation Services category, $725,800 in the Operation of Plant category, and $528,000 in the Fixed Charges category for a total of $1,327,600.

AMENDMENT 5 (PASSED 8-0)
Adjust Charter/Contract expenditures to align with the Governor’s Proposed Budget.
Chesapeake Science Point Enrollment Growth – Increase by $64,569
Existing Contract/Charter Schools – PPE Increase – Decrease by ($382,487)
New Village Academy – Increase by $508,189

Impact: Increases the FY2026 Operating Budget recommendation by $977,255 in the Instructional Salaries & Wages category; decreases by ($399,717) in the Other Instructional Costs category; increases by $25,000 in the Special Education category; decreases by ($298,811) in the Operation of Plant category; and decreases by ($113,456) in the Fixed Charges category for a net increase of $190,271.

BOARD OF EDUCATION RECOMMENDED AMENDMENTS

AMENDMENT 6 (FAILED 1-7)
Remove Constituent Services Liaison.

Impact: Decreases the FY2026 Operating Budget recommendation by ($116,314) in the Administration category, ($600) in the Operation of Plant category, and ($28,486) in the Fixed Charges category for a total decrease of ($145,400).

AMENDMENT 7 (FAILED 1-7)
Remove Constituent Services Liaison – Special Education.

Impact: Decreases the FY2026 Operating Budget recommendation by ($116,314) in the Administration category, ($600) in the Operation of Plant category, and ($28,486) in the Fixed Charges category for a total decrease of ($145,400).

AMENDMENT 8 (FAILED 0-8)
Decrease the line item for high school student laptops expenditures to not exceed $3,000,000.

Impact: Decreases the FY2026 Operating Budget recommendation by ($580,125) in the Instructional – Textbook & Supplies category and ($2,495,625) in the Other Instructional Costs category for a total decrease of ($3,075,750).

AMENDMENT 9 (PASSED 6-2)
Add one percent (1%) COLA mid-year for all employees.

Impact: Increases the FY2026 Operating Budget recommendation by $173,689 in the Administration category, $502,112 in the Mid-Level Administration category, $2,568,476 in the Instructional Salaries & Wages category, $612,427 in the Special Education category, $65,505 in the Student Personnel Services category, $44,495 in the Student Transportation Services category, $206,525 in the Operation of Plant category, $55,595 in the Maintenance of Plant category, $535,713 in the Fixed Charges category, $529 in the Community Services category, and $21,917 in the Capital Outlay category for a total increase of $4,786,983.

AMENDMENT 10 (PASSED 8-0)
Increase Substitute Teacher daily compensation by $10.

Impact: Increases the FY2026 Operating Budget recommendation by $873,836 in the Instructional Salaries & Wages category, $72,268 in the Special Education category, and $72,377 in the Fixed Charges category for a total increase of $1,018,481.

AMENDMENT 11 (PASSED 8-0)
Subject to the negotiating process, provide $1,000 incentive payment to employees with 30 years or more who agree to work for one more year.

Impact: Increases the FY2026 Operating Budget recommendation by $45,857 in the Administration category, $66,000 in the Mid-Level Administration category, $226,900 in the Instructional Salaries & Wages category, $55,400 in the Special Education category, $16,000 in the Student Personnel Services category, $6,000 in the Student Transportation Services category, $51,000 in the Operation of Plant category, $17,000 in the Maintenance of Plant category, $37,803 in the Fixed Charges category and $10,000 in the Capital Outlay category for a total increase of $531,960.

AMENDMENT 12 (PASSED 8-0)
Subject to the negotiating process, add $87,000 to the budget to provide school counselors with the National Board Certification $10,000 stipend that teachers receive based on Blueprint as well as the $7,000 for working in an identified Blueprint Low Performing school.

Impact: Increases the FY2026 Operating Budget recommendation by $87,000 in the Instructional Salaries & Wages category, and $11,361 in the Fixed Charges category for a total increase of $98,361.

AMENDMENT 13 (PASSED 8-0)
Subject to the negotiating process, provide compensation for fourth-grade teachers who are attending an overnight trip to Arlington Echo as well as compensate the Lead Teacher at each school for planning.

Impact: Increases the FY2026 Operating Budget recommendation by $71,220 in the Instructional Salaries & Wages category and $5,448 in the Fixed Charges category for a total increase of $76,668.

AMENDMENT 14 (PASSED 8-0)
Add $300,000 for musical instrument repair and replacement in elementary, middle, and high schools.

Impact: Increases the FY2026 Operating Budget recommendation by $240,000 in the Instructional – Textbook & Supplies category and $60,000 in the Other Instructional Costs category for a total increase of $300,000.

AMENDMENT 15 (FAILED 1-7)
Add 3.0 Secondary Music Teachers.

Impact: Increases the FY2026 Operating Budget recommendation by $192,390 in the Instructional Salaries & Wages category, $945 in the Instructional – Textbook & Supplies category, $1,005 in the Other Instructional Costs category, and $67,110 in the Fixed Charges category for a total increase of $261,450.

AMENDMENT 16 (PASSED 8-0)
Add 2.0 Social Workers.

Impact: Increases the FY2026 Operating Budget recommendation by $630 in the Instructional – Textbook & Supplies category, $670 in the Other Instructional Costs category, $190,004 in the Student Personnel Services category, $1,200 in the Operation of Plant category, and $52,796 in the Fixed Charges category for a total increase of $245,300.

AMENDMENT 17 (PASSED 8-0)
Add 4.0 School Counselors.

Impact: Increases the FY2026 Operating Budget recommendation by $369,040 in the Instructional Salaries & Wages category, $1260 in the Instructional – Textbook & Supplies category, $1,340 in the Other Instructional Costs category, and $104,160 in the Fixed Charges category for a total increase of $475,800.

AMENDMENT 18 (PASSED 6-2)
Add 1.0 Pupil Personnel Worker.

Impact: Increases the FY2026 Operating Budget recommendation by $315 in the Instructional – Textbook & Supplies category, $335 in the Other Instructional Costs category, $131,003 in the Student Personnel Services category, $600 in the Operation of Plant category, and $31,097 in the Fixed Charges category for a total increase of $163,350.

AMENDMENT 19 (PASSED 8-0)
Add 2.0 School Psychologists.

Impact: Increases the FY2026 Operating Budget recommendation by $229,986 in the Instructional Salaries & Wages category, $630 in the Instructional – Textbook & Supplies category, $670 in the Other Instructional Costs category, and $58,014 in the Fixed Charges category for a total increase of $289,300.

AMENDMENT 20 (PASSED 8-0)
Add $70,000 to the CASE Agricultural Science Program.

Impact: Increases FY2026 Operating Budget recommendation by $17,500 in the Instructional – Textbook & Supplies category and $52,500 in the Other Instructional Costs category for a total increase of $70,000.

AMENDMENT 21 (PASSED 8-0)
Increase the line item for Non-Invasive Weapons Detection System Pilot Program from $333,280 to $2,400,000 to pilot detection systems at all AACPS high schools.

Impact: Increases the FY2026 Operating Budget recommendation by $2,066,720 in the Operation of Plant category.

AMENDMENT 22 (PASSED 8-0)

Add 2.0 12-month Bilingual Facilitators.

Impact: Increases the FY2026 Operating Budget recommendation by $630 in the Instructional – Textbook & Supplies category, $670 in the Other Instructional Costs category, $159,456 in the Student Personnel Services category and $46,744 in the Fixed Charges category for a total increase of $207,500.