How does the county budget process work and when will the Commissioners vote on the public school funding?

Now through the end of March is really the prime time to make your voice heard to the Commissioners on what your priorities are.

I was impressed by the future scientists and engineers I met at Freedom Elementary School's 23rd Annual STEM Fair.

Yesterday the BOE approved the operating budget request totaling $18M. The $18M total includes $14M in ongoing revenue + $4M in one-time funds.

Now, their request will go to the County Commissioners and the county budget process will ramp up in March before budget adoption in May.

Please watch my video for some important things you need to know before the February 11th meeting when the Board of Education votes on the operating budget and how much of an additional request they will ask of the county.

Hi, I'm Lisa Maisano, candidate for Carroll County Board of Education. I am not a politician. I consider myself to be an advocate for our schools. I want to give you a little background on myself and why I have decided to run.

I made a short 3-minute video that explains the process for electing the Carroll County Board of Education.

I attended the BOE FY27 Budget Work Session and gave public comment at the Public Hearing on the proposed budget.

You can watch me give my comments in the link or read them here.

Here are 3 ways you can have your voice heard during this budget process!

CCPS' Operating Budget for next year is not final yet! Two cuts are being proposed by the Superintendent to balance the budget in addition to requesting more money from the county to fund our schools.

Now is the time to really pay attention! The first thing you can do is reach out to the BOE to encourage them to request from the county what we need to keep the school system running as it is now.

I realize listening to a 4-hour BOE meeting is a big ask. So, if you can give me 8 minutes, my first video explains the Superintendent's Proposed FY27 Operating Budget. I break it down and explain the tough position CCPS is in.

It’s “Budget Season.” At January’s BOE meeting, the Superintendent presented her operating budget. That serves as a starting point for the BOE to have discussions about what they want to add/take away from the proposed budget and/or request more funding from the Commissioners.

Read more to learn about the process.

It’s “Budget Season” which means CCPS and the Board of Education are developing the FY27 operating budget to cover running the whole system for next school year.

I’m sharing this article from this weekend about the Community Investment Plan (CIP) and how Liberty High School modernization is not included in this year’s draft. I’ve been following this closely since I discovered through my research that this is the 3^rd year in a row that CCPS has requested the Liberty modernization project.

At the January BOE meeting, I gave public comment about the operating budget. I encourage you to watch the 3-minute video or read my speech.

January 15, 2026 — This morning, I decided to go to the Commissioners meeting because I wanted to hear about the preliminary Community Investment Plan (CIP).

I did not plan to speak.  I just went to listen.  However, I was disappointed that the Liberty High School modernization and feasibility study did not make it into this year’s draft plan.  I decided I would get up to say something while I was there.  My remarks were not polished, but I just felt like it was important to say something.

I am not a politician.  I am a mom showing up to advocate for our schools.  (And yes, I know I talk a lot with my hands.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRCCjwmpCUU&t=9311s

It’s official! On Monday, January 12th I filed as a candidate for the Board of Education in Carroll County!

I am a Maryland native, and my husband and I have called Carroll County home for the past 18 years. We are raising our three children in Sykesville, where they attend public schools. As an engineer, I bring a natural problem-solving mindset and a commitment to understanding the details to everything I do. As an active member of my community, I served as PTA President at my children’s elementary school, created a new PTA Advocacy Committee, helped to found the Carroll Education Coalition, and continue to volunteer as a Scout leader with my children’s unit.

The challenges CCPS faced this past year inspired me to apply my leadership skills in a meaningful way by helping to create and advocate through the non-partisan Carroll Education Coalition. If there is one thing that this last year has taught me, it is that sometimes what feels impossible can be possible if someone speaks up. I have found my voice and now I hope to use it in a new way — as a member of the BOE.

I hope you will subscribe to my campaign updates via my website: maisano4carroll.com

Thank you for your support!