Charles County Delays Funding For Private Pre-K Mandated By State

LA PLATA, Md. — Charles County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, voted to table a request to transfer $141,853 from the county’s fiscal 2026 contingency fund after learning that Maryland now requires local governments to cover a mandated share of private pre-kindergarten costs — a change officials said was announced after budgets were finalized statewide.

Director of the Department of Fiscal and Administrative Services, Jake Dyer, told commissioners that the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) notified counties in June 2025 that they would be responsible for the local share. The timing — roughly six weeks after the Commissioners adopted the FY 2026 budget on May 20, 2025 — left jurisdictions with no opportunity to plan for the added expense.

“We received this information and the actual cost in June 2025, which is, quite frankly, about six weeks after the budget was adopted, so this cost shift was a surprise to all of us budget finance officers throughout the state,” Dyer said during the board meeting.

Dyer explained that MSDE had received a legal opinion confirming the mandate and that the state budget office supported the interpretation. The requirement stems from implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, the state’s sweeping education reform plan. He also attempted to have MSDE attend Tuesday’s board meeting to explain the policy shift, but the department declined.

“I tried to get them to come to this meeting today to help explain exactly the issue at hand, and they declined. They basically said that MSDE is not able to assist local government leaders with presentations,” Dyer said at the board meeting.

Commissioners raised concerns about the growing trend of state-funded initiatives evolving into unfunded mandates for local governments. Several expressed frustration with MSDE’s absence and questioned the lack of consultation prior to implementation.

Commissioners suggested deferring action to allow Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) and the Education Association of Charles County (EACC) to weigh in. County Attorney Wes Adams confirmed that the mandate is not optional, stating that the state has the authority to enforce local compliance.

Commissioners voted to revisit the transfer request in January after Dyer consults further with MSDE on whether the county can adjust distributions to CCPS as an alternative to using contingency funds.

Watch the Dec. 9 Meeting: CCGTV
Learn more: Charles County FY 2026 Budget Division Page
See the complete agenda packet for the Dec 9 meeting here.

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