The Montgomery County Council approved a $4.4 billion budget Thursday that raises the cost of benefits for all employees as well as increases property taxes and an assortment of fees in closing a $300 million shortfall. Yet, without question, the most fervent opposition to the widespread cuts came from the public schools system — even though the agency would receive more taxpayer dollars next fiscal year.

After the council unanimously passed the budget in a straw vote, school board President Christopher Barclay said the funding blueprint could “eventually undermine the tremendous progress we have made.”