FY27 County Budget Update
County Budget update! The Commissioners approved the FY27 County Budget on May 21, 2026. The county budget includes the full amount requested by the BOE and also adds the Liberty High School modernization to the capital plan. Approval of the budget means that CCPS will receive sufficient funding to keep Outdoor School and avoid having to make cuts to elementary chorus, orchestra, and band, and high school athletics and extracurricular activities. Unfortunately, this budget includes the reduction of 15 teacher positions commensurate with the declining student enrollment and those reduced positions are expected to be achieved through natural attrition (retirements, leaving the system, etc).
At the Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on May 19, 2026, CCPS staff indicated that the results of the Liberty High School feasibility study should be available in the December to January time frame. The feasibility study will look at various options including building a replacement school on the site and renovating some or all of the existing building with possible additions. We recognize there are other needs in the county, but tackling the highest priority school building modernization is a big step forward in addressing needed capital improvements.
Lisa Maisano giving public comment at the County Budget Hearing.
Earlier in May I attended the County Budget public hearing on May 6 and gave public comment, acknowledging the financial support going toward our schools. Read my comments here:
Good evening, Commissioners.
My name is Lisa Maisano and I have been a resident of Carroll County for 18 years. I am also a candidate for the BOE. My husband and I chose this community in which to raise our family. Our 3 children all attend public schools. I wish to extend a sincere thank you for including the increased CCPS funding that was requested by the Board of Education in this year’s county budget. I also am very grateful for your commitment to the Liberty High School modernization as part of the county’s capital plan. Recently my schedule has been jam-packed with end-of-the-school-year activities, causing me to reflect on the importance of our public schools in our communities. April and May host a flurry of band, orchestra, chorus concerts, and theatre productions for all of our young talented musicians and actors. There are also the bustling athletic competitions as family and friends cheer on our dedicated athletes. Parents descend on our elementary schools for play days and class picnics to watch their kids participate with their classmates in friendly games and races that are a rite-of-passage of childhood. As I attended several concerts and yesterday’s county track meet, I reflected on the pride that our communities take in our schools. Our families pour time, energy, money and their hearts into our children and value their educational opportunities. Our schools are the epicenter for our communities and build a sense of connection and belonging. It’s critical that we continue to build and enhance those connections to keep Carroll County a close-knit, vibrant, and successful community. Carroll County cares for one another, steps up and volunteers to help neighbors in need, and remains a wonderful place to live and raise a family.
With that benefit that our school communities provide, also comes a shared responsibility. A responsibility of our county as a whole to take pride in and provide adequately for our schools. We expect the same dedication that our families provide to our school community to be reflected in our county’s care of our school system. I am encouraged and thankful for the commitment to additional funding for CCPS next year and for including the modernization of Liberty High School in the capital plan. Tackling the highest priority school building modernization is a big step forward in addressing needed capital improvements. These commitments show progress on developing a long term plan to meet the needs of CCPS, but we still have more work to do. I appreciate your commitment and recognition that these investments in our public schools are crucial to our communities, our young people, and the future of Carroll County.