By Adam Pagnucco.
Two days ago, we reported on how an error by MCPS in a state aid application resulted in its request for an additional $21.6 million in local money for its capital budget. Superintendent Thomas Taylor addressed this issue before the school board today and did something unusual for a senior MoCo public official:
He apologized and said it was entirely his agency’s fault.
Following is a partial transcript of the superintendent’s remarks from today’s school board meeting.
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Superintendent Thomas Taylor.
As excited as I am to recommend my first capital budget for FY26, I would like to share some disappointment in leading off today’s presentation with an issue. As has been reported already, while preparing this capital improvements program budget, we identified an error in our submission for state aid in the Charles E. Woodward High School construction project, creating a revenue shortfall of $39.3 million in the FY26 capital budget. In a moment, you’ll hear details from our team about this issue and how it relates to the rest of the capital improvements program, amendments that I’m proposing today. However, before they present and fill in some of the blanks, I want to share some important points and a note of thanks.
When you hired me this summer, you made it clear to me that you wanted MCPS to restore trust in our community and for me to call out irregularities when I saw them. Thank you for having the courage and faith to tackle this issue and many other issues that arise. As we voluntarily and openly disclose this issue, please know that we will discover more things in the future and we will address those things as they come.
Though this submission error dates back to 2021, where none of the key personnel involved in the decision still work for MCPS, it is never easy to break bad news. But as I’m fond of saying, bad news does not get better with age. I am happy to be in a position to address this issue now instead of later when it could be significantly costly.
I would also like to thank our partners in state government who are working to make sure that we get this right and that we are following the law and our own policies. They have been a great resource and great support. To that end, I want to make it clear that this issue was entirely MCPS’s fault. We are working to correct it and though this will not have a net negative impact on state construction revenues over the long run, it does have an impact on these projects. And I’m sorry for that.
At MCPS, my expectation is that staff at all levels of the organization work to identify financial irregularities and to adhere to proper financial protocols and practices. We must do this work with integrity.
Part of my commitment to the district, our county and our students is to encourage Team MCPS to address problems when they see them. Naming them and doing something about them is part of our path forward together.
Therefore, we should not be surprised if issues are uncovered as we do this essential work. These are opportunities for the system to improve and to live up to its values of transparency and accountability.