Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) is on the verge of making major budget cuts that will immediately impact students' mental health, current and future academic success, and daily support systems.

At the May 21 Board of Education (BOE) meeting, MCPS Superintendent Thomas Taylor recommended eliminating over 430 full-time positions to close a $36 million budget gap. The MCPS BOE is expected to vote on the proposed budget next Thursday, June 4, 2026.

If approved, Superintendent Taylor's plan includes cutting essential support staff including:

• All college and career navigators
• School psychologists and social workers 
• Special educators, and all English composition assistants and family engagement specialists
• All media assistants

We're asking the MCPS BOE to vote NO to the proposed budget.

While we understand MCPS is facing budget pressures and decreasing enrollment, we believe people and positions must be prioritized over everything else. Superintendent Taylor needs to take a closer look at actual extraneous costs and how to better manage MCPS spending.

Taking away those who round out our community and keep all students safe, supported and successful isn't the answer.