$1.2B Proposed Budget Unveiled By HCPSS Officials

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — The proposed fiscal year 2025-2026 operating budget for the Howard County Public School System stands at $1.219 billion, which reflects an increase of $74.3 million, or 6.49% in expenditures above fiscal year 2025 and the addition of 68.1 positions, primarily in special education and safety and security.

Officials say the proposed budget:

• Retains all current employees;
• Increases supports and staffing for special education;
• Commits to high quality staff through compensation and benefits;
• Prioritizes the safety of students and staff;
• Maintains current programs and services;
• Maintains class sizes, and
• Does not propose impacts to programs and services, including gifted and talented, fine arts, library media, and opportunities provided at the Howard County Conservancy.

“In total, this budget proposal meets some of the most significant needs of the school system, but it does not fulfill every priority we have,” said HCPSS Superintendent Bill Barnes. “It is a large request, but our needs related to special education, employee compensation, safety and security, and other enhancements to our district are reasonable and they are real.”