Superintendent Thomas Taylor heard from hundreds of families and staff members about declining enrollment, special education and resource gaps
Montgomery County Public Schools wrapped up three budget listening sessions this week, drawing hundreds of families and staff members eager to weigh in on spending priorities for the 2027 fiscal year. The sessions at Springbrook High School, Northwest High School and a virtual forum gave Superintendent Thomas Taylor a direct look at what parents and educators believe matters most as the district prepares its operating budget.
The conversations revealed pressing concerns about how the district allocates resources, supports struggling students and adapts to changing enrollment patterns. Parents asked pointed questions about everything from accelerated learning programs to special education services, while staff members voiced needs for better training and more consistent tools to do their jobs effectively.
Seven priorities emerge from community feedback
Taylor outlined several key areas where the district plans to focus resources in the coming year. First, the superintendent emphasized expanding access to advanced programs by aligning resources more strategically across schools. Second, he highlighted plans to improve school-level supports through an equity add-on designed to direct help where it’s needed most.
Third, the district intends to take a proactive approach to staff training rather than reacting to problems as they arise. Fourth, MCPS will realign staffing to focus more directly on schools and current student needs. Fifth, Taylor noted the importance of managing declining enrollment thoughtfully to avoid disrupting services.
Sixth, the budget will continue investments that began during the current school year, building on initiatives already underway. Seventh, the district plans to address consistency issues that have created uneven experiences across different schools and regions.
Parents call for simpler technology and stronger supports
Attendees at all three sessions raised similar themes that painted a picture of what families experience daily in MCPS schools. Many parents expressed frustration with the current digital landscape, asking for simpler and more consistent technology tools that don’t require navigating multiple platforms for basic tasks.
Special education emerged as a major concern, with families describing inadequate services and behavior supports that leave some students without the help they need to succeed. Parents of students in both special education and general education classes called for more direct classroom resources and additional paraeducator support to assist teachers managing diverse learning needs.
Access to programs became another focal point, with families questioning why some schools offer robust options while others provide limited choices. Parents pushed for more flexible learning opportunities that recognize different students learn at different paces and in different ways.
The equity conversation extended beyond special populations to encompass regional differences, with attendees noting that program quality and resource availability can vary significantly depending on which school a child attends. Families asked how the district plans to create more consistency so that zip code doesn’t determine educational opportunity.
Declining enrollment creates planning challenges
The enrollment question generated substantial discussion as MCPS grapples with fewer students than in previous years. Taylor acknowledged this reality requires careful planning to maintain service levels while adjusting staff assignments to reflect current needs rather than historical patterns.
The superintendent stressed that declining enrollment doesn’t mean cutting essential services but rather redistributing resources more efficiently. This approach aims to ensure schools maintain strong programs even as total student numbers decrease across the district.
Budget presentation scheduled for mid-December
Taylor will formally present his recommended operating budget for fiscal year 2027 on Dec. 17 at 6:30 p.m. The presentation will stream live on the MCPS website and through MCPS TV on local cable channels, including Comcast channel 34, Verizon channel 36 and RCN channel 88.
The district has posted session notes and recordings on its operating budget webpage for community members who couldn’t attend the live sessions. The page also includes a form for additional feedback, allowing families and staff to contribute their perspectives as Taylor finalizes his recommendations before presenting them to the Board of Education.