LEONARDTOWN, MD – The Board of Education of St. Mary’s County finalized its recommended 2024-2025 school year budget and forwarded it to the Board of County Commissioners of St. Mary’s County for consideration on Thursday, February 1, 2024. In a letter to the Commissioners, Superintendent J. Scott Smith outlined significant challenges in preparing for next year's budget, including the end of federal and state pandemic funding, the impact of mandates associated with the Blueprint legislation, compensation needs for staff, transportation needs, increased health care costs, and inflationary operational costs. Specifically, St. Mary’s County Public Schools (SMCPS) identified three priorities that must be incorporated within the FY2025 budget: (1) Honoring its negotiated agreements for staff, including compensation associated with the Blueprint; (2) Projected increases in health insurance costs, which are expected to grow by at least 10% in FY2025; and (3) Support for contracted school bus operations with driver wage and contract increases.
Dr. Smith reiterated the importance of the shared commitment between the Board of Education and Commissioners, stating, “Over the past several years, SMCPS and the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County (CSMC) have worked together effectively to uphold our shared obligations to our students, schools, and community. This continued partnership and collaboration will be essential as we find a way to address these latest challenges.” To review the Board’s recommended budget, visit https://www.smcps.org/about-us/budget. This page includes: ? FY2025 Superintendent's Recommended Budget January 31, 2024 ? FY2025 Budget Letter to CSMC ? FY2025 SMCPS Budget Forms for CSMC
For questions regarding the FY2025 budget, please call (301) 475-5511, ext. 32177.
