LA PLATA — The Charles County Board of Education has approved the fiscal year 2027 operating budget for Charles County Public Schools.
The $553,532,999 budget reflects a $26.02 million increase, or 4.9 percent, from the fiscal year 2026 operating budget. It was approved unanimously at the board’s June 9 meeting.
The budget is funded primarily through state and county dollars. About 39 percent comes from the overall Charles County general fund budget for fiscal year 2027.
Mandatory expenses include health care costs, negotiated school bus contractor wages, replacement of retiring school buses, funding for special education, utility increases, and support for ongoing implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.
One-time cost increases cover portable weapons detection equipment, community and student pilot programs, additional transportation vehicles, and expansion of gun detection software on interior cameras.
Budget reductions include the elimination of six central office positions, lapsed salary savings from 47 currently vacant positions that will not be filled, and decreased funding for the Proximity Learning program.
The budget allocates $16,935,039 for employee compensation. This includes salary and cost-of-living adjustment increases for the Education Association of Charles County and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees negotiated agreements.
Eligible certificated staff under the EACC agreement will receive a one-step or one-grade increase and a 3 percent COLA for the 2026-2027 school year. Eligible support staff under the AFSCME agreement will receive a one-step or one-grade increase and a 2.5 percent COLA.
Charles County Public Schools serves students across a growing county with diverse communities. The approved budget reflects efforts to maintain educational quality while addressing rising operational costs and state-mandated initiatives.
Residents can review full details of the fiscal year 2027 operating budget on the CCPS website.
