Harford County Public Schools proposes $16.7 million operating increase for FY26 as public warns of staffing, safety and program cuts

Assistant Superintendent Deborah Judd of Harford County Public Schools outlined the superintendent's proposed fiscal year 2026 budget at a public input session on Feb. 5, 2025, presenting an operating-budget increase of $16,700,000 and a requested county appropriation increase of $26,200,000, an 8.2% rise from FY25. The proposal requests $10,700,000 from the state (about 3.6% higher than FY25), anticipates using $20,200,000 of fund balance and carries a total capital request that the presentation put at roughly $144,800,000 when state-eligible and local-only projects are combined.

The budget overview matters because school officials and dozens of public speakers said the system faces a substantial shortfall that could force staff reductions and program cuts. Judd described major line-item changes: a wage package of about $13,000,000; a proposed reduction of 67 systemwide positions estimated to save $15,400,000; an estimated $3,000,000 increase for electricity; an $1,000,000 proposed contribution to other post‑employment benefits (OPEB); recurring costs of roughly $400,000 related to newly purchased detection systems; about $700,000 requested to add 10 school safety liaisons (SSLs) the board had previously authorized; AP-test cost increases of $477,000; and nine positions tied to pre‑K expansion at about $613,000. The presentation said the state share could be reduced further because of proposed changes in state revenue, and staff noted possible state reductions in the $4,000,000–$10,000,000 range.

Public commenters pressed the board to protect classroom staffing, raise pay for low‑paid workers and maintain programs. David Bauer warned of “disastrous cuts,” saying the board should “warn the whole county about the risks of disastrous cuts and fees.” Several speakers connected the budget shortfall to potential safety and instructional impacts: one asked whether the current number of school resource officers was sufficient for 55 schools and more than 38,000 students; others urged protection of early‑childhood and special‑education staffing.

Speakers representing employees and student groups asked the board to prioritize compensation and programs. Tanisha Gannon, who identified herself as a Harford County School employee and president of Ask Me Local 2471, urged the board to consider employees’ well‑being in decisions about cuts. Student leaders and representatives from the Harford County Regional Association of Student Councils described their work and asked the board to continue funding student‑leadership programs and transportation for student representatives.

Administrators and staff noted program‑level pressures. A special‑education official said early intervention requires trained staff and warned that behavioral challenges have grown, citing physical aggression and eloping as examples that can disrupt learning. Multiple speakers said instruction supports such as DreamBox and i‑Ready help fill gaps when classroom resources are limited and should be preserved.

The board did not take a formal vote at the input session. President Poiten (the board’s presiding officer) said the board expects to act on the superintendent's proposed budget at its board business meeting on Feb. 10, 2025.