Maryland / School Boards / Howard County Public Schools
The board approved the Board‑requested FY27 operating budget of $1,676,717,627 and directed staff to submit the request to the county executive; the motion passed after technical clarifications.
Maryland / School Boards / Howard County Public Schools
After a two-hour discussion about options and state waiver rules, the board voted 6–2 to adopt 'solution 2,' which uses June 16–18 plus April and May schedule adjustments and makes next week a full day to recover five inclement-weather days and two high-school hours.
Maryland / School Boards / Howard County Public Schools
District leaders outlined a five‑theme strategic plan to strengthen special education: MTSS implementation, expanded environmental supports, staffing increases, program redesign (Compass/RISE), and family partnerships; staff said $4 million in the FY27 request would fund nine new classrooms and staff.
Maryland / School Boards / Howard County Public Schools
Staff presented three alternate plans to allocate remaining Build to Learn Act funds; after lengthy discussion about equity, facility condition and program needs, the board adopted Alternate Plan 1 and approved the FY27 capital budget and 10‑year plan, votes carried 5–2.
Maryland / School Boards / Howard County Public Schools
The Howard County Board of Education voted to direct the superintendent to begin a formal policy review to revise policy 10,020 (Community Use of Facilities): expand energy fees, reclassify "facility" fees as "use" fees including grounds, and remove nonprofit youth organizations from the exemption list. The motion asks staff to follow the board's policy process and consider an implementation timeline for 2026-27.
Maryland / School Boards / Howard County Public Schools
Staff presented a $4 million Phase 2 plan for special education that converts a placeholder into specified hires (19 paraeducators, 16 teachers and other related positions) and funds nine new program classrooms to reduce caseloads and expand specialized services; the conversion motion passed unanimously.
Maryland / School Boards / Howard County Public Schools
Board members debated adding six school-culture-and-safety assistant positions (middle schools). Opponents called for clearer job descriptions, training and measures to prevent disproportionate discipline; proponents cited reductions in referrals and suspensions where existing positions operate. A motion to remove the six positions failed (3-3-1), so the additions remain under the board's proposed budget.
Maryland / School Boards / Howard County Public Schools
Board adopted the superintendent's FY27 recommended budget as the basis for its requested budget, approved technical revenue/expenditure adjustments reflecting updated state and local projections, and approved a slate of restorations and additions (science paraeducators, media specialists, middle-school paraeducators, multilingual teachers, and training).
Maryland / School Boards / Howard County Public Schools
Board discussion of the BSAP summer program produced divided votes: a motion to lower the BSAP tuition to $900 and restore program funding failed; the board later approved a technical revenue adjustment that included a summer-school tuition increase estimate (+$128,000). Members expressed concern about committing expense before final revenue and enrollment data were known.
Maryland / School Boards / Howard County Public Schools
At a Feb. 12 public hearing on the FY27 budget, dozens of students, teachers and parents urged the Howard County Board of Education to reverse proposed cuts that would reduce high‑school media specialists and eliminate science paraeducator roles, citing library access, technology support, lab safety and equity concerns.