ROCKVILLE, MD — The $3.7 billion operating budget for Montgomery County Public Schools was approved Thursday for fiscal year 2027.
However, the contentious 7-1 vote cemented a cut of 415 jobs after the County Council failed to close a $36 million funding gap before finalizing its budget last month.
The only board member to vote against the budget was at-large member Rita Montoya, who said budget-saving options were not thoroughly explored by officials.
Related: MoCo Council Approves Final $7.9B Operating Budget
While the job cuts included roughly 162 positions that were either already vacant or newly proposed, many social workers, assistants and specialists are still expected to part ways with the school system.
The 415 job cuts are slightly less than what was initially proposed by MCPS Superintendent Thomas Taylor before he reversed course on some of his recommendations to the board.
Previously, the district was looking at cutting another 59 positions that included staff development teachers, school psychologists, and college and career navigators.
Taylor earlier warned that MCPS would have to make serious cuts without the additional funding from the county, saying "there is no escaping it."
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