JUNE 11, 2026
BERLIN • NORTH WORCESTER COUNTY• OCEAN PINES
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Schools make budget fit county funding Programs cut, purchases delayed to cover $2.8M withheld from request By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (June 11, 2026) The Worcester County Board of Education this week axed student programs and operations from its fiscal year 2027 budget after the county commissioners gave the public school system about $2.8 million less than the board had requested.
On Monday, the school board voted unanimously to reduce or eliminate funding for instructional materials, student behavioral programs, technology updates and dual-enrollment credits that, along with other cuts, will hurt students, teachers and facility support staff, board members said. The move follows a 4-3 vote by the Worcester County Commissioners on June 2 to cut roughly $2.8 million from the school board’s request by allocating it $134.2 million and putting the balance in the county’s cash re-
serves. In addition to the loss of that money, the system will receive $78,532 less than expected in state aid, school system Chief Financial Officer Vince Tolbert said, leaving the board to cut $2,876,834 in expenditures to balance the budget. To balance its budget, the board removed roughly $300,000 in dual enrollment funding, which allows students to take college level courses that also apply to their high school diploma. The board also eliminated a pro-
posed student behavioral support program at a savings of $602,239, postponed buying approximately 100 iMac replacements at a cost of $218,900, abandoned a planned increase in substitute teacher pay, removed $120,660 in spending for summer and after-school programs, cuts to instructional materials and software, transportation reductions, and more than $700,000 in maintenance and operations reductions. Tolbert said the revised budget still preserves negotiated salary inSee SCHOOL Page 4
Berlin restores July 3 fireworks Late funding addition from county allows council to bring back 2027 show, reconsider some other cuts
TARA FISCHER/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
MAJOR TOY DONATION Salon Moderno owners Nic and Alex Mutavchiyski, along with their daughter Nia, 8, donated over 450 toys to TidalHealth Atlantic’s toy closet this week. See story on page 25.
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By Tara Fischer Staff Writer (June 11, 2026) The Berlin Town Council approved its fiscal year 2027 budget Monday night and incorporated an additional $55,000 in county funding to restore money for Independence Day fireworks, sidewalk repairs, and vehicle maintenance. The approved budget includes a $17.6 million general fund, along with enterprise funds for electric, water, sewer, and stormwater operations. Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall said the general fund budget remains unchanged from the version introduced in May, with the exception of an additional $55,000 allocation from the Worcester County Commissioners. “We got $55,000 from Worcester County,” Finance Director Natalie Saleh said. “This will have zero impact on the budget, but the revenues will go up by $55,000.” Town staff initially recommended placing the See TOWN Page 3
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