Baltimore Teachers Union Warns of Cuts, Larger Classes, Lower Morale

TABCO says proposed budget reductions could eliminate hundreds of teaching positions

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The Teachers Association of Baltimore County (TABCO) is raising concerns about the potential impact of proposed budget cuts on teachers, students, and parents in Baltimore County. According to TABCO, the district's budget proposal includes a 73% reduction in spending, which could lead to the elimination of 595 positions, including hundreds of classroom teachers. The union warns that these cuts would result in larger class sizes and lower morale among educators, making it more difficult to retain talented teachers.

Why it matters

The proposed budget cuts in Baltimore County could have significant consequences for the quality of education and the well-being of both students and teachers. Larger class sizes and decreased staffing levels can negatively impact student learning and development, while low morale among teachers can make it challenging to attract and retain high-quality educators.

The details

TABCO President Kelly Olds stated that the budget plan would "decimate morale" and make it more difficult to retain talented educators. The union attributed 111 position cuts to decreased enrollment, while the rest are not. Olds warned that "when we increase class sizes, we are adding to plates that are already very full" and that there comes a "breaking point where you just can't do more."

  • The district's budget proposal includes a 73% reduction in spending, down from around $24 million in 2026 to $6 million in 2027.

The players

Teachers Association of Baltimore County (TABCO)

The union representing teachers in Baltimore County, which is raising concerns about the potential impact of proposed budget cuts on teachers, students, and parents.

Kelly Olds

The president of TABCO, who has warned that the budget cuts could lead to larger class sizes, lower morale, and difficulty retaining talented educators.

Kathy Klausmeier

The Baltimore County Executive, whose office responded to the concerns by stating that the administration will continue to work with the Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) to ensure the budget is sustainable and fiscally responsible.

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What they’re saying

“When we are looking at cutting that number of positions, especially when we are talking about positions that are in the school that our students face there, there isn't a good way to do that that isn't going to have a negative impact on our kids.”

— Kelly Olds, TABCO President (WBAL-TV 11 News)

“When we increase class sizes, we are adding to plates that are already very full. We continue to be asked to do more with less, and there comes a breaking point where you just can't do more.”

— Kelly Olds, TABCO President (WBAL-TV 11 News)

What’s next

TABCO members, including President Kelly Olds, are addressing their concerns at a county executive's budget town hall meeting at Parkville High School on Wednesday night. Olds plans to ask the county executive directly for the county to find more money to keep educators on the job and keep class sizes low.

The takeaway

The proposed budget cuts in Baltimore County could have significant negative impacts on the quality of education and the well-being of both students and teachers. The teachers' union is advocating for the county to find additional funding to maintain staffing levels and class sizes, in order to preserve the educational experience for students and the morale of teachers.