Howard County superintendent proposes $1.219 billion FY2026 operating budget, prioritizes special education and school safety

The superintendent presented a proposed fiscal year 2026 operating budget of $1,219,000,000 — a $74,300,000 (6.49%) increase over the 2025 budget — at the Howard County Board of Education meeting on Jan. 9, 2025.

The proposal prioritizes retaining all current employees, expanding special education staffing, increasing compensation and benefits, enhancing safety and security on school campuses and implementing enhanced student transportation services while maintaining existing programs, the superintendent said.

The budget presentation matters because the board must submit a requested budget to the county and state that reconciles rising costs, mandated program funding and local revenue constraints. The superintendent told the board that prior one‑time funding used to balance FY2025 creates a structural hole the FY2026 budget must fill before any new programs can be added.

The superintendent said the FY2026 request includes a net addition of 68.1 positions, with new roles concentrated in special education and safety and security. The superintendent proposed adding…