Board narrows FY27 priorities to protect salary package, asks for detailed budget breakdowns

Board members at the April 20 work session emphasized protecting employees and asked staff for clearer, more detailed budget materials as Harford County Public Schools faces possible cuts in FY 2027.

Administration reminded the board that the county executive must finalize a proposed number and the county council will vote by June 15; the board cannot finalize its budget until after that action. Liliana (board member) and others pressed for more granular cost reporting and asked how discretionary "trade-space" could be identified. "We need to protect the salary package and try to avoid losing positions," one member said, urging preservation of steps and wage commitments.

Several members requested program-level costings (for example, the per-program cost of JROTC and extracurricular offerings) and line-by-line access to the budget book. Administration said the budget book already contains line items and can be made more user-friendly or produced earlier in the cycle; staff offered small-group walkthroughs and a shared spreadsheet to collect questions and provide answers.

Board members proposed forming a small budget committee for next year to act as liaisons, review trade-offs, and provide subject-matter continuity. The administration agreed to convene review sessions and to explore alternative presentations and data formats to help the board evaluate proposed cuts and priorities.

No formal motions or votes took place during the work session; the discussion will inform the board's outreach to the county council and the development of a final budget recommendation.