Speakers at Harford County budget hearing urge council to restore $15 million for schools

Public commenters at a Harford County Council fiscal year 2027 budget public hearing urged the council to restore roughly $15 million that the county executive cut from the school system’s funding request, saying the reduction would force staff layoffs, larger class sizes and program cuts.

The testimony Thursday centered on Bill 26006 (the proposed annual budget and appropriation ordinance), Resolution 01026 (the property tax-rate resolution) and Resolution 01126 (the capital improvement program). The hearing was open to oral and written testimony; staff said the public hearing will continue Wednesday, May 13, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the council chambers.

“Sandy Eastston, a PAR educator, said the county executive’s budget is about $15 million short and warned it will leave educator positions unfilled,” Eastston told the council. “I am a PAR educator, so I work for $30,000 a year full-time. I cannot live off my salary.” Eastston said higher class sizes would not improve test scores and that educators and students deserve greater investment.

Student speaker Iris Bower, who said she is enrolled in Everine High School’s Science and Math Academy, said reduced funding already has put more than 100 positions at risk and threatened magnet programs. She told the council she surveyed SMA students and found 88% either took or would take summer PE for credit and said cutting those offerings harms students’ options and readiness.

Tracy Papenchock, a 20-year Harford County educator, described classroom impacts from past position reductions, saying a prior year saw 168 position cuts that left some classes with as many as 36 students and eliminated elective courses. “In a class of 36 students, even under ideal conditions, there is barely one or two minutes of individual attention per child,” she said, urging the council to use its authority to restore funding where possible.

Tina Graph, the school safety liaison at Fallston High School, recounted a recent student death at her school and said school nurses and other staff are being asked to buy basic supplies out of pocket. Graph criticized the county executive’s public statements claiming schools are fully funded and pointed to rising costs for special education, insurance and aging facilities as drivers of the fiscal shortfall.

Community members also challenged the executive’s characterization of the county’s fiscal position. David Bowerer questioned a cited $90 million structural deficit and said the proposed budget directs over $100 million in general funds to one-time expenses while leaving room to fund the schools’ operating request. Colleen Biano, a lifelong Harford County resident and educator, read year-by-year fund-balance figures and said the county has carried substantial unspent balances in recent years, arguing the council can identify money to meet the schools’ request.

No formal council votes or decisions were taken during the hearing. Staff closed the evening’s testimony and announced the hearing will continue Wednesday, May 13, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.; members of the public were directed to the county website for more information on viewing and participation.