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Budget FY18: The Budget Process

Each fall, the school system develops priorities and begins to compile budget requests for the next fiscal year. These requests are submitted to the school system’s budget office and are reviewed by the Superintendent and other system leaders. The Superintendent submits a proposed budget to the Board of Education in January.

The Board holds public hearings and work sessions, then submits a budget request to the Howard County Executive in March. The County Executive may recommend changes to the education request before submitting a proposed budget to the County Council in April. The Board of Education may amend its budget request and the county government may consider the amendments before the budget is approved.

The County Council holds public hearings and makes changes to the County Executive’s budget. The council may reduce any portion of the executive’s budget and may also restore funding to the school system. Additional Board of Education meetings may be held during the latter part of the County Council’s budget review process to respond to last minute budget issues.

The County Council approves the county budget in late May. The Board of Education adopts the detailed school system budget by June 1.

FY 2018 Operating Budget Approval Schedule

Printable Version (PDF)

January 10 – 7:30 p.m.

Superintendent presents budget.

January 24 – 12:00 p.m.

HCPSS Insight (Comcast Channel 95/Verizon Channel 42) – Live question and answer session.

Public Hearing – January 31* – 7:00 p.m.

Public hearing on Superintendent’s Proposed Budget.

*Opportunity for public testimony. Register to speak at this hearing →

Work Session I – February 2 – 1:00 p.m.

Board of Education holds a public work session on the Superintendent’s Proposed Operating Budget.

Work Session II – February 7 – 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Board of Education holds a public work session on the Superintendent’s Proposed Operating Budget.

Work Session III – February 14 – 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Board of Education holds a public work session on the Superintendent’s Proposed Operating Budget.

Public Hearing – February 14 – 7:00 p.m.

Public hearing on Superintendent’s Proposed Budget.

*Opportunity for public testimony. Register to speak at this hearing →

Work Session IV – February 16 – 2:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Board of Education holds a public work session on the Superintendent’s Proposed Operating Budget.

Work Session V – February 21 – 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Board of Education holds a public work session on the Superintendent’s Proposed Operating Budget.

Adoption – February 23 – 3:00 p.m.

Board of Education adopts budget request

March 10

Budget to County Executive.

April 19 – 7:00 p.m.

County Executive budget presentation to the County Council. Board Of Education’s Budget Request Reduced in County Proposal

April 20 – 7:30 p.m.

Board of Education public hearing on budget changes.

April 24* – 7:00 p.m.

Board of Education public hearing on budget changes.

*Opportunity for public testimony

April 27 – 7:30 p.m.

Board of Education budget work session.

April 28 – 8:30 a.m.

County Council budget work session.

May 4 – 8:00 a.m.

County Council budget work session

May 12 – 1:00 p.m.

County Council budget work session

May 16 – 8:30 a.m.

County Council budget work session, if necessary.

May 19 – 8:30 a.m.

County Council budget work session on budget amendments and pending issues.

May 24 – 9:00 a.m.

County Council approves budget.

May 25 – 9:00 a.m.

Board of Education adopts Operating Budget as approved by the County Council.