Support the Montgomery Virtual Academy (MVA) from Budget Cuts!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=45289&Dept=1

Under FY 2025 Operational Budget

“MCPS funding in the amount of $3.3 billion, which is an increase of more than $157 million, or five percent, over the approved FY24 Operating Budget and $29.6 million more than the County Executive’s Recommended Budget. The tax-supported budget, which excludes grants and enterprise funds, is more than $3.1 billion. This represents an increase of more than $151 million, or 5.1 percent, over the FY24 approved tax-supported budget. The budget adds a net total increase of 248.4 full-time employees (FTE) above the approved FY24 budget level, for a FY25 total of 24,764.5 FTE.”

Here is what I don’t understand, based on the county council approved budget, it shows an increase of 5% compared to FY2024, everything sounds so positive, given an increase of over 150M. Why there’s so much going on the news about cutting off programs, increasing class size and teacher layoff?

Based on the link it’s expecting a net increase of almost 250 FTE, so FTE of what positions for MCPS?

Did MCPS claim the budget using the current head count and now putting the money somewhere else?

And what will be decided on 6/11? Or is it just a more official announcement that day about the bad news?

MVA costs about $5K and most of it is salary. This makes no sense given the huge increase.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=45289&Dept=1

Under FY 2025 Operational Budget

“MCPS funding in the amount of $3.3 billion, which is an increase of more than $157 million, or five percent, over the approved FY24 Operating Budget and $29.6 million more than the County Executive’s Recommended Budget. The tax-supported budget, which excludes grants and enterprise funds, is more than $3.1 billion. This represents an increase of more than $151 million, or 5.1 percent, over the FY24 approved tax-supported budget. The budget adds a net total increase of 248.4 full-time employees (FTE) above the approved FY24 budget level, for a FY25 total of 24,764.5 FTE.”

Here is what I don’t understand, based on the county council approved budget, it shows an increase of 5% compared to FY2024, everything sounds so positive, given an increase of over 150M. Why there’s so much going on the news about cutting off programs, increasing class size and teacher layoff?

Based on the link it’s expecting a net increase of almost 250 FTE, so FTE of what positions for MCPS?

Did MCPS claim the budget using the current head count and now putting the money somewhere else?

And what will be decided on 6/11? Or is it just a more official announcement that day about the bad news?

MVA costs about $5K and most of it is salary. This makes no sense given the huge increase.

MVA is an elective program that, on its own, can make up about 20% of the budget shortfall. It absolutely makes sense. You might not agree with cutting it, but it makes sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here's what I don't understand. Mcps has 400 job openings. Why not transfer the MVA staff into those roles?

That's basically what will happen.

No, it will only happen if there is a position that matches that teachers ability and they are accepted by the principal. Otherwise they are fired. 400 openings means what? Is there an opening for every teacher in the MVA?

There will be for every teacher that wants one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=45289&Dept=1

Under FY 2025 Operational Budget

“MCPS funding in the amount of $3.3 billion, which is an increase of more than $157 million, or five percent, over the approved FY24 Operating Budget and $29.6 million more than the County Executive’s Recommended Budget. The tax-supported budget, which excludes grants and enterprise funds, is more than $3.1 billion. This represents an increase of more than $151 million, or 5.1 percent, over the FY24 approved tax-supported budget. The budget adds a net total increase of 248.4 full-time employees (FTE) above the approved FY24 budget level, for a FY25 total of 24,764.5 FTE.”

Here is what I don’t understand, based on the county council approved budget, it shows an increase of 5% compared to FY2024, everything sounds so positive, given an increase of over 150M. Why there’s so much going on the news about cutting off programs, increasing class size and teacher layoff?

Based on the link it’s expecting a net increase of almost 250 FTE, so FTE of what positions for MCPS?

Did MCPS claim the budget using the current head count and now putting the money somewhere else?

And what will be decided on 6/11? Or is it just a more official announcement that day about the bad news?

MVA costs about $5K and most of it is salary. This makes no sense given the huge increase.

MVA is an elective program that, on its own, can make up about 20% of the budget shortfall. It absolutely makes sense. You might not agree with cutting it, but it makes sense.

But the teachers will still be employed. No savings whatsoever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=45289&Dept=1

Under FY 2025 Operational Budget

“MCPS funding in the amount of $3.3 billion, which is an increase of more than $157 million, or five percent, over the approved FY24 Operating Budget and $29.6 million more than the County Executive’s Recommended Budget. The tax-supported budget, which excludes grants and enterprise funds, is more than $3.1 billion. This represents an increase of more than $151 million, or 5.1 percent, over the FY24 approved tax-supported budget. The budget adds a net total increase of 248.4 full-time employees (FTE) above the approved FY24 budget level, for a FY25 total of 24,764.5 FTE.”

Here is what I don’t understand, based on the county council approved budget, it shows an increase of 5% compared to FY2024, everything sounds so positive, given an increase of over 150M. Why there’s so much going on the news about cutting off programs, increasing class size and teacher layoff?

Based on the link it’s expecting a net increase of almost 250 FTE, so FTE of what positions for MCPS?

Did MCPS claim the budget using the current head count and now putting the money somewhere else?

And what will be decided on 6/11? Or is it just a more official announcement that day about the bad news?

MVA costs about $5K and most of it is salary. This makes no sense given the huge increase.

MVA is an elective program that, on its own, can make up about 20% of the budget shortfall. It absolutely makes sense. You might not agree with cutting it, but it makes sense.

Assuming 800 students in MVA, cost roughly $5-6k a year per student, $4-5M budget, the fair question to ask is - are these student included as part of the original budget approval request or theyve been excluded all along? If they are in, then MCPS shouldn’t allocate that money for something else. The expense for those 800 students are approved, and it’s inappropriate to take it away regardless. However if those 800 students are never accounted, and the program is promised to be running with condition of excessive budget, then it will be different pending on BOE.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=45289&Dept=1

Under FY 2025 Operational Budget

“MCPS funding in the amount of $3.3 billion, which is an increase of more than $157 million, or five percent, over the approved FY24 Operating Budget and $29.6 million more than the County Executive’s Recommended Budget. The tax-supported budget, which excludes grants and enterprise funds, is more than $3.1 billion. This represents an increase of more than $151 million, or 5.1 percent, over the FY24 approved tax-supported budget. The budget adds a net total increase of 248.4 full-time employees (FTE) above the approved FY24 budget level, for a FY25 total of 24,764.5 FTE.”

Here is what I don’t understand, based on the county council approved budget, it shows an increase of 5% compared to FY2024, everything sounds so positive, given an increase of over 150M. Why there’s so much going on the news about cutting off programs, increasing class size and teacher layoff?

Based on the link it’s expecting a net increase of almost 250 FTE, so FTE of what positions for MCPS?

Did MCPS claim the budget using the current head count and now putting the money somewhere else?

And what will be decided on 6/11? Or is it just a more official announcement that day about the bad news?

MVA costs about $5K and most of it is salary. This makes no sense given the huge increase.

MVA is an elective program that, on its own, can make up about 20% of the budget shortfall. It absolutely makes sense. You might not agree with cutting it, but it makes sense.

Assuming 800 students in MVA, cost roughly $5-6k a year per student, $4-5M budget, the fair question to ask is - are these student included as part of the original budget approval request or theyve been excluded all along? If they are in, then MCPS shouldn’t allocate that money for something else. The expense for those 800 students are approved, and it’s inappropriate to take it away regardless. However if those 800 students are never accounted, and the program is promised to be running with condition of excessive budget, then it will be different pending on BOE.

I'm not sure what you mean by that. There isn't a final budget for FY25 yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=45289&Dept=1

Under FY 2025 Operational Budget

“MCPS funding in the amount of $3.3 billion, which is an increase of more than $157 million, or five percent, over the approved FY24 Operating Budget and $29.6 million more than the County Executive’s Recommended Budget. The tax-supported budget, which excludes grants and enterprise funds, is more than $3.1 billion. This represents an increase of more than $151 million, or 5.1 percent, over the FY24 approved tax-supported budget. The budget adds a net total increase of 248.4 full-time employees (FTE) above the approved FY24 budget level, for a FY25 total of 24,764.5 FTE.”

Here is what I don’t understand, based on the county council approved budget, it shows an increase of 5% compared to FY2024, everything sounds so positive, given an increase of over 150M. Why there’s so much going on the news about cutting off programs, increasing class size and teacher layoff?

Based on the link it’s expecting a net increase of almost 250 FTE, so FTE of what positions for MCPS?

Did MCPS claim the budget using the current head count and now putting the money somewhere else?

And what will be decided on 6/11? Or is it just a more official announcement that day about the bad news?

MVA costs about $5K and most of it is salary. This makes no sense given the huge increase.

MVA is an elective program that, on its own, can make up about 20% of the budget shortfall. It absolutely makes sense. You might not agree with cutting it, but it makes sense.

But the teachers will still be employed. No savings whatsoever.

But allocated to the schools to prevent even further reductions in staff and increases to class sizes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=45289&Dept=1

Under FY 2025 Operational Budget

“MCPS funding in the amount of $3.3 billion, which is an increase of more than $157 million, or five percent, over the approved FY24 Operating Budget and $29.6 million more than the County Executive’s Recommended Budget. The tax-supported budget, which excludes grants and enterprise funds, is more than $3.1 billion. This represents an increase of more than $151 million, or 5.1 percent, over the FY24 approved tax-supported budget. The budget adds a net total increase of 248.4 full-time employees (FTE) above the approved FY24 budget level, for a FY25 total of 24,764.5 FTE.”

Here is what I don’t understand, based on the county council approved budget, it shows an increase of 5% compared to FY2024, everything sounds so positive, given an increase of over 150M. Why there’s so much going on the news about cutting off programs, increasing class size and teacher layoff?

Based on the link it’s expecting a net increase of almost 250 FTE, so FTE of what positions for MCPS?

Did MCPS claim the budget using the current head count and now putting the money somewhere else?

And what will be decided on 6/11? Or is it just a more official announcement that day about the bad news?

MVA costs about $5K and most of it is salary. This makes no sense given the huge increase.

MVA is an elective program that, on its own, can make up about 20% of the budget shortfall. It absolutely makes sense. You might not agree with cutting it, but it makes sense.

Assuming 800 students in MVA, cost roughly $5-6k a year per student, $4-5M budget, the fair question to ask is - are these student included as part of the original budget approval request or theyve been excluded all along? If they are in, then MCPS shouldn’t allocate that money for something else. The expense for those 800 students are approved, and it’s inappropriate to take it away regardless. However if those 800 students are never accounted, and the program is promised to be running with condition of excessive budget, then it will be different pending on BOE.

Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe the money allocated for each student was already being sent to their home school. Therefore, what was needed to educate the students in the MVA separate program was pulled from ESSR funds. I believe that was part of the issue many families were having is because the original goal was to keep the student connected to their homeschool like they are with other programs throughout MCPS but they were consistently denied the opportunity to do so (sports, extra curricular activities, graduation, ect.) So what did they do with the money that was set aside for the students then at their homeschool? Or am I completely off base?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=45289&Dept=1

Under FY 2025 Operational Budget

“MCPS funding in the amount of $3.3 billion, which is an increase of more than $157 million, or five percent, over the approved FY24 Operating Budget and $29.6 million more than the County Executive’s Recommended Budget. The tax-supported budget, which excludes grants and enterprise funds, is more than $3.1 billion. This represents an increase of more than $151 million, or 5.1 percent, over the FY24 approved tax-supported budget. The budget adds a net total increase of 248.4 full-time employees (FTE) above the approved FY24 budget level, for a FY25 total of 24,764.5 FTE.”

Here is what I don’t understand, based on the county council approved budget, it shows an increase of 5% compared to FY2024, everything sounds so positive, given an increase of over 150M. Why there’s so much going on the news about cutting off programs, increasing class size and teacher layoff?

Based on the link it’s expecting a net increase of almost 250 FTE, so FTE of what positions for MCPS?

Did MCPS claim the budget using the current head count and now putting the money somewhere else?

And what will be decided on 6/11? Or is it just a more official announcement that day about the bad news?

MVA costs about $5K and most of it is salary. This makes no sense given the huge increase.

MVA is an elective program that, on its own, can make up about 20% of the budget shortfall. It absolutely makes sense. You might not agree with cutting it, but it makes sense.

Assuming 800 students in MVA, cost roughly $5-6k a year per student, $4-5M budget, the fair question to ask is - are these student included as part of the original budget approval request or theyve been excluded all along? If they are in, then MCPS shouldn’t allocate that money for something else. The expense for those 800 students are approved, and it’s inappropriate to take it away regardless. However if those 800 students are never accounted, and the program is promised to be running with condition of excessive budget, then it will be different pending on BOE.

I'm not sure what you mean by that. There isn't a final budget for FY25 yet.

Isn’t the Montgomery County Council voted to approve the Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget back on 5/23?

I m asking what did the BOE submit earlier this year for review and approval? If they anticipated those students to continue to stay in the MCPS system, and accounted them in the proposed budget they should keep the program. 800 students for $5M budget seems to be justified. Otherwise maybe they’ve been planning to exclude those students…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=45289&Dept=1

Under FY 2025 Operational Budget

“MCPS funding in the amount of $3.3 billion, which is an increase of more than $157 million, or five percent, over the approved FY24 Operating Budget and $29.6 million more than the County Executive’s Recommended Budget. The tax-supported budget, which excludes grants and enterprise funds, is more than $3.1 billion. This represents an increase of more than $151 million, or 5.1 percent, over the FY24 approved tax-supported budget. The budget adds a net total increase of 248.4 full-time employees (FTE) above the approved FY24 budget level, for a FY25 total of 24,764.5 FTE.”

Here is what I don’t understand, based on the county council approved budget, it shows an increase of 5% compared to FY2024, everything sounds so positive, given an increase of over 150M. Why there’s so much going on the news about cutting off programs, increasing class size and teacher layoff?

Based on the link it’s expecting a net increase of almost 250 FTE, so FTE of what positions for MCPS?

Did MCPS claim the budget using the current head count and now putting the money somewhere else?

And what will be decided on 6/11? Or is it just a more official announcement that day about the bad news?

MVA costs about $5K and most of it is salary. This makes no sense given the huge increase.

MVA is an elective program that, on its own, can make up about 20% of the budget shortfall. It absolutely makes sense. You might not agree with cutting it, but it makes sense.

Assuming 800 students in MVA, cost roughly $5-6k a year per student, $4-5M budget, the fair question to ask is - are these student included as part of the original budget approval request or theyve been excluded all along? If they are in, then MCPS shouldn’t allocate that money for something else. The expense for those 800 students are approved, and it’s inappropriate to take it away regardless. However if those 800 students are never accounted, and the program is promised to be running with condition of excessive budget, then it will be different pending on BOE.

I'm not sure what you mean by that. There isn't a final budget for FY25 yet.

Isn’t the Montgomery County Council voted to approve the Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget back on 5/23?

I m asking what did the BOE submit earlier this year for review and approval? If they anticipated those students to continue to stay in the MCPS system, and accounted them in the proposed budget they should keep the program. 800 students for $5M budget seems to be justified. Otherwise maybe they’ve been planning to exclude those students…

MVA was in the proposed budget, but the budget, as expected, wasn't fully funded. They're going to be cutting a variety of things from what was proposed, including MVA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=45289&Dept=1

Under FY 2025 Operational Budget

“MCPS funding in the amount of $3.3 billion, which is an increase of more than $157 million, or five percent, over the approved FY24 Operating Budget and $29.6 million more than the County Executive’s Recommended Budget. The tax-supported budget, which excludes grants and enterprise funds, is more than $3.1 billion. This represents an increase of more than $151 million, or 5.1 percent, over the FY24 approved tax-supported budget. The budget adds a net total increase of 248.4 full-time employees (FTE) above the approved FY24 budget level, for a FY25 total of 24,764.5 FTE.”

Here is what I don’t understand, based on the county council approved budget, it shows an increase of 5% compared to FY2024, everything sounds so positive, given an increase of over 150M. Why there’s so much going on the news about cutting off programs, increasing class size and teacher layoff?

Based on the link it’s expecting a net increase of almost 250 FTE, so FTE of what positions for MCPS?

Did MCPS claim the budget using the current head count and now putting the money somewhere else?

And what will be decided on 6/11? Or is it just a more official announcement that day about the bad news?

MVA costs about $5K and most of it is salary. This makes no sense given the huge increase.

MVA is an elective program that, on its own, can make up about 20% of the budget shortfall. It absolutely makes sense. You might not agree with cutting it, but it makes sense.

Assuming 800 students in MVA, cost roughly $5-6k a year per student, $4-5M budget, the fair question to ask is - are these student included as part of the original budget approval request or theyve been excluded all along? If they are in, then MCPS shouldn’t allocate that money for something else. The expense for those 800 students are approved, and it’s inappropriate to take it away regardless. However if those 800 students are never accounted, and the program is promised to be running with condition of excessive budget, then it will be different pending on BOE.

I'm not sure what you mean by that. There isn't a final budget for FY25 yet.

Isn’t the Montgomery County Council voted to approve the Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget back on 5/23?

I m asking what did the BOE submit earlier this year for review and approval? If they anticipated those students to continue to stay in the MCPS system, and accounted them in the proposed budget they should keep the program. 800 students for $5M budget seems to be justified. Otherwise maybe they’ve been planning to exclude those students…

MVA was in the proposed budget, but the budget, as expected, wasn't fully funded. They're going to be cutting a variety of things from what was proposed, including MVA.

I don’t get it then. It’s a bit confusing -
Expense for those students stay, so are the MVA teachers (remain w MCPS), and the costs of textbooks and materials…how is this a save overall? Plus they will be moving those eligible to a super costly 1-1 IIS program. Based on the chronic absenteeism % someone shared earlier…that’s about 20+% might need the service? Take the lower estimate of 160 students that will definitely end up costing much more than $5k a year how would this help the upcoming FY? The math here isnt making a whole lot of sense.

$5k per student for 180 school days. It’s less than $30 a student per school day, <$5 an hr, is this considered excessive for these kids? I don’t know for sure given this is in one of the wealthiest counties.

And at the same time, BOE is proposing virtual learning as their emergency plan to the state. Everything sounds contradicting? How would they do it without a smaller scale program to ensure the feasibility and address any potential issues? 🤔

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=45289&Dept=1

Under FY 2025 Operational Budget

“MCPS funding in the amount of $3.3 billion, which is an increase of more than $157 million, or five percent, over the approved FY24 Operating Budget and $29.6 million more than the County Executive’s Recommended Budget. The tax-supported budget, which excludes grants and enterprise funds, is more than $3.1 billion. This represents an increase of more than $151 million, or 5.1 percent, over the FY24 approved tax-supported budget. The budget adds a net total increase of 248.4 full-time employees (FTE) above the approved FY24 budget level, for a FY25 total of 24,764.5 FTE.”

Here is what I don’t understand, based on the county council approved budget, it shows an increase of 5% compared to FY2024, everything sounds so positive, given an increase of over 150M. Why there’s so much going on the news about cutting off programs, increasing class size and teacher layoff?

Based on the link it’s expecting a net increase of almost 250 FTE, so FTE of what positions for MCPS?

Did MCPS claim the budget using the current head count and now putting the money somewhere else?

And what will be decided on 6/11? Or is it just a more official announcement that day about the bad news?

MVA costs about $5K and most of it is salary. This makes no sense given the huge increase.

MVA is an elective program that, on its own, can make up about 20% of the budget shortfall. It absolutely makes sense. You might not agree with cutting it, but it makes sense.

Assuming 800 students in MVA, cost roughly $5-6k a year per student, $4-5M budget, the fair question to ask is - are these student included as part of the original budget approval request or theyve been excluded all along? If they are in, then MCPS shouldn’t allocate that money for something else. The expense for those 800 students are approved, and it’s inappropriate to take it away regardless. However if those 800 students are never accounted, and the program is promised to be running with condition of excessive budget, then it will be different pending on BOE.

I'm not sure what you mean by that. There isn't a final budget for FY25 yet.

Isn’t the Montgomery County Council voted to approve the Fiscal Year 2025 Operating Budget back on 5/23?

I m asking what did the BOE submit earlier this year for review and approval? If they anticipated those students to continue to stay in the MCPS system, and accounted them in the proposed budget they should keep the program. 800 students for $5M budget seems to be justified. Otherwise maybe they’ve been planning to exclude those students…

MVA was in the proposed budget, but the budget, as expected, wasn't fully funded. They're going to be cutting a variety of things from what was proposed, including MVA.

I don’t get it then. It’s a bit confusing -
Expense for those students stay, so are the MVA teachers (remain w MCPS), and the costs of textbooks and materials…how is this a save overall? Plus they will be moving those eligible to a super costly 1-1 IIS program. Based on the chronic absenteeism % someone shared earlier…that’s about 20+% might need the service? Take the lower estimate of 160 students that will definitely end up costing much more than $5k a year how would this help the upcoming FY? The math here isnt making a whole lot of sense.

$5k per student for 180 school days. It’s less than $30 a student per school day, <$5 an hr, is this considered excessive for these kids? I don’t know for sure given this is in one of the wealthiest counties.

And at the same time, BOE is proposing virtual learning as their emergency plan to the state. Everything sounds contradicting? How would they do it without a smaller scale program to ensure the feasibility and address any potential issues? 🤔

There are also kids who might need $50-80K privates due to their special needs or if they go back in person will need 1-1 paraprofessionals... its not as simple as people make it out to be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=45289&Dept=1

Under FY 2025 Operational Budget

“MCPS funding in the amount of $3.3 billion, which is an increase of more than $157 million, or five percent, over the approved FY24 Operating Budget and $29.6 million more than the County Executive’s Recommended Budget. The tax-supported budget, which excludes grants and enterprise funds, is more than $3.1 billion. This represents an increase of more than $151 million, or 5.1 percent, over the FY24 approved tax-supported budget. The budget adds a net total increase of 248.4 full-time employees (FTE) above the approved FY24 budget level, for a FY25 total of 24,764.5 FTE.”

Here is what I don’t understand, based on the county council approved budget, it shows an increase of 5% compared to FY2024, everything sounds so positive, given an increase of over 150M. Why there’s so much going on the news about cutting off programs, increasing class size and teacher layoff?

Based on the link it’s expecting a net increase of almost 250 FTE, so FTE of what positions for MCPS?

Did MCPS claim the budget using the current head count and now putting the money somewhere else?

And what will be decided on 6/11? Or is it just a more official announcement that day about the bad news?

MVA costs about $5K and most of it is salary. This makes no sense given the huge increase.

MVA is an elective program that, on its own, can make up about 20% of the budget shortfall. It absolutely makes sense. You might not agree with cutting it, but it makes sense.

Assuming 800 students in MVA, cost roughly $5-6k a year per student, $4-5M budget, the fair question to ask is - are these student included as part of the original budget approval request or theyve been excluded all along? If they are in, then MCPS shouldn’t allocate that money for something else. The expense for those 800 students are approved, and it’s inappropriate to take it away regardless. However if those 800 students are never accounted, and the program is promised to be running with condition of excessive budget, then it will be different pending on BOE.

Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe the money allocated for each student was already being sent to their home school. Therefore, what was needed to educate the students in the MVA separate program was pulled from ESSR funds. I believe that was part of the issue many families were having is because the original goal was to keep the student connected to their homeschool like they are with other programs throughout MCPS but they were consistently denied the opportunity to do so (sports, extra curricular activities, graduation, ect.) So what did they do with the money that was set aside for the students then at their homeschool? Or am I completely off base?

Yes, because it is a program, not a school, the money goes partly to the home school and not the MVA. Its very confusing as it may have changed over time but bottomline is the MVA does not get full pupil money and schools that are not providing for those students do. Some schools are great about allowing participation, others aren't. We had three different schools refuse us all the things listed including graduation. One did call us to pick up the graduation certificate after the fact but that's all we were offered.

[Anonymous]

It seems like MVA is something we can no longer afford because MCPS wastes so much on other programs. It's sad, but they need to reign in their runaway spending.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail.aspx?Item_ID=45289&Dept=1

Under FY 2025 Operational Budget

“MCPS funding in the amount of $3.3 billion, which is an increase of more than $157 million, or five percent, over the approved FY24 Operating Budget and $29.6 million more than the County Executive’s Recommended Budget. The tax-supported budget, which excludes grants and enterprise funds, is more than $3.1 billion. This represents an increase of more than $151 million, or 5.1 percent, over the FY24 approved tax-supported budget. The budget adds a net total increase of 248.4 full-time employees (FTE) above the approved FY24 budget level, for a FY25 total of 24,764.5 FTE.”

Here is what I don’t understand, based on the county council approved budget, it shows an increase of 5% compared to FY2024, everything sounds so positive, given an increase of over 150M. Why there’s so much going on the news about cutting off programs, increasing class size and teacher layoff?

Based on the link it’s expecting a net increase of almost 250 FTE, so FTE of what positions for MCPS?

Did MCPS claim the budget using the current head count and now putting the money somewhere else?

And what will be decided on 6/11? Or is it just a more official announcement that day about the bad news?

MVA costs about $5K and most of it is salary. This makes no sense given the huge increase.

MVA is an elective program that, on its own, can make up about 20% of the budget shortfall. It absolutely makes sense. You might not agree with cutting it, but it makes sense.

There are a lot of elective things in person. Should we give up sports, music, dance, theater?