TOWSON, MD—The Baltimore County Board of Education has voted for a $2.58 billion budget increase for the 2025 fiscal year, which would allow Baltimore County Public Schools to increase spending on academic programs, infrastructure, and safety.

The proposed budget would raise the school system’s spending by $42.3 million compared to the 2024 fiscal year.

The spending increase would be used to reduce class sizes, expand full-day pre-kindergarten programs, enhance compensation for staff, develop special education programs, and hire more English language learners.

The Baltimore County Board of Education said the budget would help the school system “make significant progress toward eliminating disparities in academic achievement, increase system efficiency, reduce redundancy, and move resources closer to schools.”

The Baltimore County Board of Education said the budget reflects input from staff, parents, students, and community members. The board held an operating budget hearing and a budget work session in January.

“The Board adopted a fiscally responsible operating budget request that will help advance excellence for all BCPS students and address the significant needs of the system,” said Board Chair Tiara Booker-Dwyer. “We believe this budget will help BCPS make significant progress toward eliminating disparities in academic achievement, increase system efficiency, reduce redundancy, and move resources closer to schools. We look forward to collaborating with our County leaders on next steps for this budget.”

The proposed budget will now go to Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski for review and consideration. The County Council will then vote to adopt the budget in May.

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.