Howard County public hearing draws students, educators and county staff on proposal to use surplus for schools

A proposal to allow the county to use up to $14.5 million in excess surplus revenue to help fund the Howard County Public School System drew broad public testimony during the council's May legislative public hearing.

Students, parents, union leaders and county budget staff described the same immediate problem from different perspectives: classroom cuts, loss of staff and narrowing course offerings on one hand, and limits to sustainable one-time funding on the other.

Supporters said the amendment to the charter and the $14.5 million one-time allocation (filed as Council Bill 45, 2025) would prevent further program and staff reductions while longer-term budget choices are considered. "I'm here to speak in strong support of CB 45 20 25, which would allow access access funds to be used towards our public school system," said Henry Yarmus,…