Board of Education Approves Proposed FY 2027 Capital Budget

November 11th, 2025

At its November 6 meeting, the Howard County Board of Education approved the FY 2027 Capital Improvement Program – Local Projects for submission to the Howard County Council as the next step in the FY 2027 Capital Budget process. The Board had previously approved the FY 2027 State Capital Projects at its September 11 meeting.

The County-funded project requests approved on November 6 total $68.22 million for FY 2027 and include New Elementary School #43 in the southeastern portion of the County; renovations/additions to Oakland Mills, Dunloggin, and Patapsco middle schools; as well as other projects including systemic renovations, technology replacements, health and safety projects, barrier-free projects, etc.

The Board also identified and approved projects for the remaining Built to Learn Act (BTL) funding. In addition to funding for Oakland Mills Middle School, the remaining BTL funds were approved to be utilized for New Elementary School #43, Patapsco Middle School and Atholton Elementary School Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) projects. The Patapsco Middle School and New Elementary School #43 projects are scheduled to begin design in FY 2027, and the Atholton Elementary School HVAC project is scheduled to begin design in FY 2028.

The approved list of FY 2027 State Capital Projects from September 11 focuses on security, roofing, and systemic projects to fully utilize the anticipated State allocation, per the State and local cost share percentage. The FY 2027 State Capital Projects requests $27.14 million in State funding and $21.28 million in local funding for a total of $48.42 million.

The Board of Education’s Proposed FY 2027 Capital Budget request totals $116.64 million: $27.14 in State funding and $89.50 million in County funding.

The Board also voted to provide the County Council with a deferred maintenance list with the intention of asking the County for all available funds per Howard County Bill (CB) 20-2025. The bill provides the County with the opportunity to utilize excess surplus revenue from prior years to fund deferred school capital projects in FY 2027.

Capital Budget Next Steps

The County Council will hold a public hearing and work session on November 17, to review and take action on the Proposed FY 2027 Capital Budget to indicate initial local support, primarily for the State projects. The Capital Budget will be returned to the Board of Education, along with the FY 2027 Operating Budget, in January for further consideration. Through a series of reports, public hearings, and work sessions, the Board of Education will vote on the requested FY 2027 Operating and Capital Budgets to be submitted to the County Executive.

After the County process is completed, the final budgets will be voted on by the Board of Education in May 2026.