Howard County Executive Calvin Ball unveiled his fiscal 2025 Operating Budget, which includes $1.14 billion in funding dedicated to the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS), fully funding the County’s obligation under the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.
This pivotal investment includes funding for the school system’s Elementary School Gifted and Talented program, 3rd-grade strings program, Environmental Education Program at the Howard County Conservancy, Summer Black Student Achievement Program, and Mathematics Engineering and Science Achievement program.
“Here in Howard County, we know that education empowers and our investments in our children, families, educators, and staff are critical. I want to thank Acting Superintendent Bill Barnes, Board of Education Chair Jen Mallo, and the entire Board of Education for their leadership and efforts to continue to positively propel HCPSS forward.”
Ball’s proposed fiscal 2025 budget exceeds the State-mandated Maintenance of Effort funding by $52 million. Additionally, by investing more in Blueprint this year, the County ensures HCPSS will receive a greater return in State aid in fiscal 2026.
County Executive Ball’s proposed budget allows HCPSS to expand full-day pre-K for eligible four-year-olds and increase student technology investment. With this funding, HCPSS will be able to enroll all eligible tier-1 (up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level) four-year-olds in full-day pre-k by fiscal 2026.
Ball’s proposed budget also adds 50 additional staff to HCPSS’s Special Education program. It restores the school system’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, whose staff are vital to meeting the Blueprint’s continued educator diversity goals. Additionally, starting salaries for teachers have increased by 22 percent since 2018 in recognition of their tireless work and the shared goal of raising teacher pay.
In addition to the $1.14 billion in his proposed FY25 Capital Budget, as announced two weeks ago, Ball has also committed more than $90 million toward school capital projects, including fully funding HCPSS’ request of $75.7 million and $15 million in County PAYGO funds for land acquisition, planning, and design for High School #14 in Elkridge. Ball’s proposed fiscal 2025 Capital Budget also prioritizes systemic renovations across many HCPSS educational facilities, including:
- $36.8 million to address systemic maintenance needs, including HVAC replacements, athletic needs, air quality, school safety and security;
- $10.2 million for the Oakland Mills Middle School renovations/addition, which will expand capacity by 199 new seats;
- $6.6 million toward enhanced IT investments, including infrastructure upgrades, applications, and cybersecurity improvements;
- $3.1 million for various projects such as playground upgrades and parking enhancements;
- $1.1 million to renovate the Faulkner Ridge Center, which will become a regional pre-K center, and
- $1 million for the Applications and Research Laboratory to modernize and expand the building footprint.
The County’s fiscal year starts on July 1 and ends June 30. The Howard County Council will conduct a series of public hearings and work sessions to review the proposed budget and approve it by June 1, 2024.
