Montgomery County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Montgomery County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Declining enrollment and its budget implications
MCPS has about 3,200 fewer students than projected this year — nearly 8,000 fewer than expected over two years — with big drops in kindergarten and high school. Leaders stressed declining enrollment doesn't mean declining need, but it will drive staffing decisions next year.
MCPS 'Away All Day' phone policy expansion to high schools
The Board of Education passed a resolution July 16 to measure and report how much time students spend on screens and to develop guidance for K-5 use, with middle and high school guidance to follow.
Technology Modernization and student technology charges
The committee reviewed MCPS's Technology Modernization project, including $11 million in FY26 spending this summer for the routine technology refresh. Members also want to know how many students pay for broken school technology and how much they pay.
Funding for Montgomery College operations
The college is dealing with over-enrollment and facility damage, including a library closure after a pipe burst. The council approved $1.1 million from tuition and fees to shore up operations.
MCPS Attendance, Engagement and Truancy
The council released an independent report on chronic absenteeism and truancy in Montgomery County Public Schools since COVID — a persistent concern for families and educators.
MCPS winter weather and technology funding
The Council reappropriated $8.5 million of MCPS fund balance to offset winter weather impacts, and introduced three more school funding items totaling over $5.3 million for asset replacement, sustainability and technology modernization.
Early Care and Education Funding
Maryland froze its childcare scholarship program, leaving 1,000 county families on a waitlist; only 12,000 of 32,000 eligible kids get subsidized care. The council added a second $500,000 tranche to move 23 more children into county assistance — a drop in the bucket, members admitted.
Saturday School tutoring funding at George B. Thomas Learning Academy
The County Executive had proposed cutting county funding for Saturday School tutoring, but the committee moved money from the school system's budget to keep DHHS administering it. Not everyone agreed — Jawando, Evans, and Mink opposed the shift.
MCPS bus depot siting and community outreach
MCPS needs new bus parking — depots are over capacity and the county wants it out of Shady Grove — but residents near two proposed sites say they found out from board documents, not outreach. The council kept the project in the CIP with a three-year delay after voting down removal 4-7.