The Carroll County Public Schools Board of Education adopted the fiscal 2027 operating budget at its monthly meeting Wednesday night. The school board voted to adopt the superintendent’s proposed budget, with a key amendment: The school board requested additional funding from the Carroll County government to fund the Outdoor School program.

The school board adopted the amended operating budget, totaling $507,035,442. The number included the additional ask of $14 million from the county government, with $1.4 million of that funding designated for the Outdoor School program.

The 2025 CCPS student enrollment count showed a decline of more than 400 students from the year prior. Declining enrollment hurts funding prospects from the state and, combined with inflationary pressures, weighed on the budget. The CCPS budget materials stated the cost of “maintaining competitive employee compensation,” and the rising costs of employee health care were considered as Superintendent Cynthia McCabe and her staff balanced the budget.

In public comment sessions and input online, many in the Carroll County community urged school board members to request additional funding from the county to fund the Outdoor School program.

The board voted 4-1 to adopt the amended budget. School board member Tara Battaglia voted against it, expressing concern with the funding request to the county for the Outdoor School program.

The school operating budget needs to be finalized by March 1. The county budget process begins in March and ends in May.

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