Superintendent Mark Bedell’s proposed fiscal 2026 operating budget for Anne Arundel County public schools prioritizes special education, early literacy and bilingual learning.

Bedell, who declared his goal of making Anne Arundel “the greatest school district in this country, period,” laid out his vision for the district in a speech Dec. 18 to the Board of Education.

“Behind every single number I have mentioned tonight, and the thousands contained in the full budget recommendation book, is a child, a precious child whose future we hold in our collective hands,” Bedell said.

The proposed operating budget totals nearly $1.8 billion, representing an approximately 8% increase from this year. This time last year, the district was facing low staffing numbers, which took priority in the operating budget, Bedell said.

Over the last year, the school district’s staffing levels drastically improved. On the first day of school this year, 99% of classrooms had teachers with a certificate or license. In next year’s proposed budget, nearly $57 million is allocated for employee compensation, including a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for all employees and $4.2 million in increases for specific bargaining units.

“We need to show our people that they are valued, because it is absolutely impossible to have great programs without great people to lead them,” said Bedell. “Our students are counting on us to help them, belong, grow and succeed. It is up to us, as adults, to make that a reality.”

Statewide, the teacher shortage, expired COVID-19 funding and mandated spending from the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future — which totals nearly $24 million for Anne Arundel County next year — is posing a challenge. Even so, Bedell said his team was able to craft a budget that invests in areas of need.

Since becoming superintendent in 2022, Bedell has introduced new reading and math curriculums, cellphone policies, community schools and redistricting for seven high school clusters. Last week, the Maryland Department of Education awarded 92% of Anne Arundel schools at least three stars in their annual report card.

Anne Arundel County has a student population that grew by 5% in 2022 and 2023. That means the district’s costs have grown as well.

The number of students with special needs has increased 17% since 2020, while the number of special education instructors has not increased in three years. Bedell’s budget allocates more than $16 million to special education, adding 155 new positions, including classroom teachers and Individual Education Plan facilitators.

The number of multilingual learners has risen by 38% since 2020. To account for this, the budget provides for 18 new English language development teachers and two bilingual pupil personnel workers, while also converting some bilingual facilitator positions to 12-month contracts, rather than the typical 10-month contracts.

Prekindergarten programs are also set to receive a boost. The recommendation includes 17.3 new positions and nearly $1.7 million to expand the prekindergarten program for 4-year-olds by adding four classrooms. It also earmarks $2 million for early intervention teachers and $275,500 to begin converting the Carver Professional Development Center in Gambrills into the district’s fourth early education center.

Other notable spending includes:

$3.5 million for a pilot program for non-invasive weapons detection systems at two schools, with technology and schools yet to be determined.

$1.6 million for the new intramural middle school sports program, which starts with soccer this spring.

$3.2 million to help establish a new charter school, New Village Academy, which is expected to open in 2025.

$6 million to lease laptops for high school students.

$1 million for the new, recently approved learning management system, Canvas.

The district’s capital budget was approved by the board in September. The $204.7 million budget funds the districts various construction projects, including three new school buildings, and is part of the overall budget request.

The board will review the recommendation and gather feedback from the public. Hearings are scheduled for Jan. 7 at Severn Run High School and Jan. 9 in the Board Room at the Parham Building in Annapolis, both at 6 p.m.

Then, the board will vote on a final budget request in February.

In a statement, the Teachers Association of Anne Arundel County praised Bedell’s budget, particularly the increase in funding for special education.

“It is clear that Dr. Bedell’s proposed budget, which is a record increase of $94 million, reflects a commitment to ensuring our students and educators have the resources they deserve,” said TAAAC President Kristina Korona.

The union said it will be advocating for an even higher salary increase, but ultimately, the union is eager to get the budget recommendations through the Anne Arundel County Council, which has the final say on the fiscal 2026 budget.

“We look forward to making our case to the larger Anne Arundel community over the next few months about the needs of our school system and why moving AACPS from good to great will require increased revenue,” said Korona.

County Executive Steuart Pittman is also hosting budget town halls in January and February. The County Council votes on the final budget in June.