MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. — Montgomery County Public Schools has lost more than $39 million in funding due to a submission error, according to a letter from Superintendent Dr. Thomas Taylor.
The 288-page letter outlines a recommended capital budget for Fiscal Year 2026 and includes suggestions on how the district can make up for the huge loss in state aid.
The multi-million dollar loss was due to an error in the Montgomery County Public School submission for aid in the Charles W. Woodward Project.
"MCPS has been informed that we will not be receiving $39.3 million in State Aid that was expected due to errors in calculating prevailing wage and bid award across the multiple phases of the project," the letter reads.
Taylor added that the district is working with the Interagency Commission and the Maryland Stadium Authority to determine whether a portion of that $39.3 million can be awarded.
The letter then details what projects funding can be pulled from in order to make up for the large state aid gap. Those projects include:
- $7 million from the Building Modifications for Program Improvements Project
- $5 million from the William Tyler Page ES Addition project
- $3.4 million from the Westbrook ES Addition project
- $1.3 million from the Takoma Park MS Addition project
- $1 million from the Parkland MS Addition project
"By transferring the $17.7 million from these prior projects, we are able to reduce the funding gap from $39.3 million to $21.6 million," Taylor's letter reads. "Together with the other CIP project reallocations previously identified, the Superintendent's Recommended FY 2026 Capital Budget and Amendments to the FY 2025-2030 Capital Improvements Program requires only $21.6 million in local revenues to address the State Aid gap and keep major projects intact and on schedule."
Janis Sartucci, a member of Parents’ Coalition of Montgomery County wants to know how an almost 40-million-dollar mistake slipped through the cracks.
“There are multiple steps and lots of people involved in approving these construction contracts. This isn’t just someone making a minor error. And, who suffers? The community, schools, this 17 million could be going to other needs in our system.” Sartucci, said.
The State Board of Education said the district is seeking $21.6 million from the county to cover a portion of the revenue shortfall.
In a statement, the board said:
“The Board of Education appreciates that the superintendent’s team uncovered the mistake and is openly addressing the issue. Errors like these undermine public confidence and trust in the district.”
"Suddenly, they found $17 million in a drawer? Where was the money before this letter and what was the use of that money going to be?” Sartucci, said.
The superintendent’s recommended budget will be presented to the board on Thursday.
Public hearings are scheduled for Nov. 4 and 6. The Board of Education will take final action on Nov 21.
Click here to read the letter in full.
