A proposed budget cut for Prince George’s County Public Schools could potentially eliminate International Baccalaureate programs from elementary and middle schools, while also phasing out language immersion programs in various schools. The district is facing a projected $150 million budget reduction and has requested an additional $50 million from the county to stabilize its finances amid rising operational costs and a state funding formula that requires increasing allocations for each school.
During a Board of Education meeting on January 22, interim superintendent Shawn Joseph presented a nearly $3 billion budget proposal, marking a slight 1 percent increase from the previous fiscal year. However, the district is dealing with a budget shortfall attributed to mandatory compensation and operating expenses.
“This budget is not merely financial; it reflects value-based decisions made during a time of real constraint,” Joseph stated. “Every choice in this budget addresses the core question: how do we protect students, honor our workforce, and stabilize this system for the future?”
To mitigate cuts to specialty programs, officials have opted to target long-term vacant positions, implement hiring freezes, and reduce discretionary spending, instead of slashing essential costs associated with staff-labor contracts and safety measures. Chief financial officer Lisa Howell indicated that decisions regarding specialty programs were based on their return on investment, considering both their costs and the benefits they provide to students.
While International Baccalaureate programs would remain available at the high school level, they would be eliminated from elementary and middle schools, allowing current students to continue but restricting new admissions. Similarly, language immersion programs would be scaled back, transitioning into general world language electives where instruction would be primarily in English. This change aims to phase out these programs gradually.
Judith White, the county’s chief academic officer, reassured families that current students would maintain their educational paths, even as changes unfold. Howell explained that the budgeting process is dictated by projected revenue from federal, state, and county resources, following Maryland’s school funding formula that considers enrollment numbers and per-pupil costs, along with the district’s overall wealth.
The county has seen a decline in student enrollment, resulting in reduced revenue for schools. This decline, compounded by the district’s commitment to absorbing $102 million in negotiated compensation and rising operational costs, has led to a structural deficit. Changes to Maryland’s public school funding formula, known as the Blueprint, have reshaped funding distribution and added new program requirements, increasing the counties’ financial obligations.
In the past, an energy and telecommunications tax helped support education funding in Prince George’s County, but recent legislation has redirected those funds to meet the elevated Blueprint minimum, rather than providing broader support. Joseph noted that the county’s contribution has been limited to the minimum required, necessitating the request for additional funds to stabilize the educational system.
Concerns over the proposed cuts have been voiced by families, particularly those who chose their neighborhoods based on the availability of International Baccalaureate and immersion programs. Board vice chair Jonathan Briggs expressed empathy for those affected, emphasizing the importance of community advocacy for increased funding. “Nothing is off the table at this point,” he encouraged families to advocate effectively.
If the budget proposal is approved, a portion of the requested funds would be allocated toward critical services, including special education, safety initiatives, AI literacy, and support for math and reading, all aimed at improving student outcomes. Following public hearings, the board is expected to vote on the proposal later this month, after which it would go to the county executive and council for final approval in June.