Budget Update from the Superintendent, May 27, 2025

May 27th, 2025

The following was issued by Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) Superintendent Bill Barnes on May 27, 2025:

This morning, the Howard County Board of Education held a public work session to consider ways to eliminate the budget gap that exists for the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. The Board is scheduled to finalize and approve their budget on Thursday, June 12, 2025. I provided a comprehensive presentation to begin the work session, and this letter is intended to provide an update with links to more detailed Frequently Asked Questions. The entire work session may be viewed online.

The last time we met in a public work session, we considered the significant budget gap we were facing. Since that time, students, staff, and many other advocates engaged in public hearings, public work sessions, and have had many productive conversations with our elected leaders to amplify the needs of the school system and the dire budget reality that exists. I commend Board members, our bargaining units, students, teachers, staff, parents, community groups, and others who came together on behalf of students and educators in Howard County. I have been pleased with the tone and tenor of this collective advocacy, and I have been inspired by the time, energy, and passion of all those who have worked on behalf of our collective cause.

And your advocacy reached the ears of our County Executive and members of the County Council. Earlier this month, County Executive Calvin Ball, committed $14.5 million additional dollars to our budget, and the County Council unanimously approved the amendment last week.

Unfortunately, we will still need to close a significant budget gap of $15.3 million dollars to cover existing service commitments and negotiated agreements with our employee associations. During today’s work session, the Board considered several options to close the remaining gap and they elevated many questions and considerations that will be explored at our next public work session on Wednesday, June 4, 2025. To gain a clearer understanding of what was presented and discussed today, we developed responses to several frequently asked questions.

• What was the budget gap following the County Council approving their budget?
• What recent recommendations from staff could contribute to increasing the budget gap?
• Should investment income and fund balance alone be used to close the budget gap?
• What are the current programs, services and positions being considered for reduction or elimination to close the remaining budget gap?
• What scenarios to close the budget gap did staff present for Board consideration at the May 27 work session?

Thank you for remaining engaged in the budget process and for your continued interest and passion in ensuring the Howard County Public School System remains strong and continues to become a great school system for every student, staff member, and person we serve.