Education A Top Priority In Frederick County Executive’s Proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Budget

But she says actions on the federal and state levels impacted the preparation of her budget.Frederick County Executive Jessica FitzwaterFrederick, Md (KM) A proposed fiscal year 2026 budget totaling $1.02 billion was introduced on Tuesday by Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater. She said public education  is her top priority. “When I became County Executive, Frederick County was spending $390 million a year on public education. In this year’s budget, we will invest over $508 million in our schools,” she says. “This is $118 million or 30 percent increase over three short years.”This increase in funding for public education will include  $26-million for school nurses, health room technicians, physical and occupation therapists, school resource officers and crossing guards. The county is also using one-time funding to buy new classroom technology. and putting $1 million into the trust fund that protects post employment benefits of retired educators.Fitzwater is also proposing $175 million more for school construction. That amount  will be used to accelerate the pre-design work on a new Brunswick High School and limited renovation projects at Twin Ridge and Hillcrest Elementary Schools, and make sure replacement Middletown Elementary and Middle Schools stay on track to open in August, 2027.The budget also funds 100 percent of the construction of elementary school number 41. It’s expected to built on a one-year schedule to open in August, 2026. It will be located near the intersection of Route 144 and Mussetter Road.Other highlights of the budget, according to a county news release, include:*Employee Compensation new base rate of $21 per hour for County employees, and a two percent across-the-board increase for all county employees beginning on January 1st, 2026*Expanded senior services at the Middletown 50+ Community Center and planning for new senior centers in other parts of the county.*Affordable Housing Funding to oversee affordable housing projects, primarily on county-owned land.*Public Safety funding for the Sheriff’s Office for training space, and additional resources for the State’s Attorney’s Office to address a growing caseload.*Fiscal Responsibility, setting aside reserve funds for long term pension obligations, and making strategic investments to protect the County’s AAA Bond Rating.During public listening sessions, County Executive Fitzwater said many citizens asked that more money be spent on public education. But she said funding all the requests is  not possible. “Let me be clear: I want to do more for our schools. But in the face of disruptive and damaging federal action, and state budget cuts, we have to be fiscally responsible and conservative in our approach,” she said. “We cannot spend what we don’t have, and we cannot make promises we may not be able to keep.”Regarding the impact from the state on the local budget: “In this year’s budget, they’ve providing millions of dollars for school construction and long awaited safety upgrades to US 15,”: Fitzwater continued. “But in balancing their budget, they are shifting some costs to local governments. We are inheriting a bill for millions of dollars in state teacher pension obligations which we’ll have to pay each year.”Fitzwater said about 12,000 federal employees live in Frederick County. If the federal government reduces its workforce by 25 percent, the county’s; unemployment rate will “increase dramatically,”  put pressure on the local social safety net and hurt the local tax base.”What I’m about to say cannot be overstated: the initial chaos we are experiencing at the federal level is not normal. In many cases it is unconstitutional and it’s not okay,”: Fitzwater emphasized. She said the county must “remain steadfast”  in its support of public education.Under the proposed budget, the county property tax rate remains at $1.11 per $100 of assessed value.The County Council is expected to hold a public hearing on the budget on Tuesdays, April 22nd.By Kevin McManus