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As budget discussions in Cecil County continue, Cecil County Public Schools could be short millions of dollars next school year if the county doesn't step in with more funding.
 

Based on current budget projections, if CCPS gets the minimum amount of funding from the county for another year, they will have a revenue shortfall of about $20 million, which means they will have to cut about 150 positions and numerous programs. In addition to county funding, the shortfall was caused by grants, like federal pandemic funds running out, and restrictions in how the school system can spend state funds through the Blueprint for Maryland's Future legislation.
 

"We need the money to properly function as a school," said student Allison Stoudt.
 

"So the federal money wasn't necessarily saving us money as a school system," said CCPS Superintendent Jeffrey Lawson. "It allowed the county to back off their revenue stream, and subsequently they have a large fund balance that they have right now."
 

While CCPS will get state funds through Blueprint for Maryland's Future, Lawson said they are limited in how they can spend that money. While he said that was not the sole cause of the shortfall, he said it puts pressure on how to pay other bills. However, in the long-term, Lawson said he believes the legislation will be beneficial.
 

"Blueprint, to be honest is aspirational," Lawson said. "It does exert some financial pressure with trying to determine how we are going to pay for the issues which aren't prescribed."
 

"We're fast forwarding into the position of where, you know, the actual bills are coming due," said Christopher Summers, the President and CEO, of Maryland Public Policy Institute.
 

With the Blueprint for Maryland's Future impacting schools across the state, Cecil County isn't the only county feeling the strain. It could mean more counties have to pick up the tab.
 

“We're struggling. We're struggling with Kirwan," said Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly.
 

"This has become a very big fiscal challenge," Summers said.
 

“I think I speak for all of our county executives and saying that our people can't deal with the financial impact that the Kirwan as it stands is placed upon our taxpayers and our citizens," Cassilly said.