Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the District Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board weighs budget tradeoffs as special‑education costs rise and enrollment flattens
Summary
Board members discussed early budget priorities amid flat overall enrollment, a roughly 15% rise in special‑education enrollment over four years, classroom size concerns and proposals to recruit homeschoolers via early‑college offerings; no budget decisions were made.
Harford County Public Schools board members used the Dec. 1 work session to outline budget priorities and discuss tradeoffs as they prepare for the winter budget cycle.
Superintendent Bullston told the board special‑education enrollment has increased about 15% over four years and that students with higher needs and rising free‑and‑reduced‑meals counts are increasing costs faster than overall enrollment. "We're up 15% in special education enrollment over 4 years," he said. District staff estimated a local shortfall of roughly $65 million between what the state funding formula provides and actual special‑education spending.
Board members said they would prioritize lowering class sizes where feasible but cautioned that new programs such as expanded early college, P‑TECH and Spanish immersion also carry costs. Members asked that any new initiative include a fiscal note showing whether the expense is discretionary or required by law. The superintendent and staff said some programs receive targeted federal or blueprint funds for materials and startup expenses; teachers for such programs are typically regular staff, which can mitigate some personnel costs.
Officials discussed enrollment shifts and recruitment strategies: kindergarten numbers were smaller than anticipated and the district is exploring early‑college and dual‑enrollment options at Swan Creek to attract homeschool families and others. Staff said enrollment funding follows students and that bringing in students from outside the district can increase per‑pupil revenue.
The board did not set final priorities at the session. Administrators said they will present a draft budget in January and schedule public input sessions in early February to solicit community feedback before formal proposals are made.
