Federal funding proposals put Howard County school programs at risk, officials say

Caroline Walker, chief equity and innovation officer for Howard County Public Schools, told the council and board that fiscal 2026 federal grants are covered under a continuing resolution and that the state has received preliminary allocations for most programs.

Walker and other staff warned that the administration’s FY27 federal budget proposal would shift many targeted grants into broader block grants, a change that could reduce funding available for specific teacher‑development programs (Title II), English language development services (ELD), after‑school community learning centers and other competitive programs.

“Title I has stayed relatively stable historically,” Walker said, noting the district’s Title I allocations were about $7.8 million last year and roughly $7.5 million in the current estimate. She described the administration’s proposal as “creating more block grants, which really means sending less total dollars and having it be distributed more specifically to certain areas and eliminating some of our current programming.”

Programs at risk and local effects

Officials identified several areas that could be affected if Congress adopts the administration’s approach:

- Title II (teacher development): staff said loss of about $1.5 million in combined competitive/state personnel development funding would reduce professional‑learning and coaching resources the district now uses to support teachers.

- English language development (ELD): Walker said the administration singled out language supports for consolidation; the state had not yet received final federal amounts at the time of the meeting.

- Community learning centers / after‑school programs: the district currently operates community learning center programs in about 11 schools; staff said each after‑school program typically has five to six adults on staff and provides homework help, enrichment and academic support for two‑plus hours per day.

- Community Eligibility Provision (free breakfast and lunch): staff warned the administration has proposed policy changes that could narrow universal meal eligibility in some schools and require families to submit individual applications in more places — a change district staff said would reduce participation in free‑meal programs even where need exists.

Federal aid mechanics and next steps

Walker said the district had received preliminary allocations for IDEA and other grant programs under the continuing resolution; two items — teacher development and language supports — were pending federal release at the time of the meeting. If the administration’s FY27 proposal is enacted by Congress, Walker said the district would need to identify alternate funding sources or reduce services now funded by federal grants.

Council and board members were urged to advocate with federal legislators. Walker said the district and its partners would monitor congressional activity and continue to communicate anticipated impacts to the board and public.

Selected quotes

- “We are currently in a situation with fiscal 26 being funded by the continuing resolution,” — Caroline Walker.

- “Title I has stayed relatively stable… last year we received about 7.8 and this year we're looking more at around 7.5,” — Caroline Walker.

Ending

District officials called the federal proposals an additional uncertainty on top of local funding decisions and urged advocacy and contingency planning to protect teacher development, ELD and community‑centered programs that rely on federal grant funding.