MCPS Superintendent Jack R. Smith has proposed nearly 200 new staff positions for the 2020 fiscal year system operating budget in order to reduce class sizes.

Smith revealed details of his proposed $2.65 billion budget in an online presentation Dec. 18. The proposal mainly focuses on increasing staff to manage population growth and adding programs in an attempt to close the achievement gap in academic performance between white and minority students.

The proposed budget plans to add 60 general teaching positions, 40 special education teaching positions, 15 staff to assist English language learners and three psychologists, as well as transportation and operational staff.

It also plans to remove nine full-time positions within the district, including three from central services and six from support operations, taking away around $2 million in budget cuts, according to a Dec. 19 Bethesda Beat article.