FY28 Capital Budget and
FY28-33 Capital Improvement Program
Jump to: Educational Facility Master Plan | Capital Budget Kickoff | State Capital Projects
The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) Capital Budget presents how HCPSS will use the funding provided by the Howard County Government and the State of Maryland for capital projects. This funding is provided to address the needs of physical assets managed by HCPSS, which must provide a seat for every student and provide for the ongoing maintenance and quality of 82 facilities including 78 school buildings and over 1,900 acres of land.
Typical projects funded in the capital budget include renovations and renewals of facilities, systemic upgrades and renovations, property acquisition, construction of new facilities, and site improvements. Identification and planning for these needs starts with the analysis and recommendations in the annual Educational Facilities Master Plan. The Board of Education approves this plan, and HCPSS staff work to secure and align available funding accordingly.
The capital budget process is a collaborative, multi-step process involving HCPSS, the Board of Education and Howard County Government. Each step is outlined below. Accompanying links and documents will be added as they become available. All dates and times are subject to change.
The public may attend open Board meetings, public hearings and work sessions in person at the Department of Education, 10910 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City; live online by going to the HCPSS homepage; on-demand online 24 hours after a meeting; and during and after each meeting on Howard County Comcast channel 95 or Verizon channel 42.
June 2026
The presentation of the Educational Facility Master Plan is the first step in the FY2028 Capital Budget process. The elements included in the 2026 EFMP influence capital planning decisions and are considered during the FY28 Capital Budget planning cycle.
The EFMP replaced the Feasibility Study and Projection Reports that were presented in prior years and includes an outline of local planning considerations, 10 years of student enrollment projection data, capacity needs and measures to address school facility needs. Additionally, elements that are required by the State and the results of HCPSS’ new facility need prioritization process are included.
Presentation of the Educational Facility Master Plan (EFMP)
June 11 Board of Education Meeting
June 25 Board of Education Meeting
July 2026
This presentation informs the Board and the public of the FY 2028 Capital Budget process and considerations that affect the development of the Capital Budget in advance of the presentation of the Superintendent’s Proposed Fiscal Year 2028 State Capital Projects in August.
Capital Budget Kickoff
July 16 Board of Education Meeting
Aug. / Sept. 2026
Local Education Agencies (LEA) are required to submit to the Interagency Commission on School Construction (IAC) next year’s State Capital Budget in early October. The Capital Budget projects and priority list are developed based on the facility prioritization process and criterion for State eligibility and limited by anticipated maximum State participation. The Board of Education must approve the Capital Budget request and State priority list prior to the submission to the IAC in early October to apply for State funding for eligible projects in the FY 2028 Capital Budget.
FY28 State Capital Projects
In this portion of the budget process, the Superintendent presents his Proposed State Capital Projects, and the Board of Education holds work sessions and public hearings to gather feedback on and revise the request to the State.
August 20 Board of Education Meeting
Superintendent’s Proposed FY28 State Capital Projects Board Report
Superintendent’s Proposed FY28 State Capital Projects Presentation
September 10 Public Hearing
September 10 Work Session
September 24 Board Approval of FY28 State Capital Projects
Sept. 24, 2026, 4 p.m.