FY26 Operating Budget
The operating 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 are added as they become available.
All schedules are subject to change and will be updated below as necessary.
Jump to: Superintendent’s Proposed Budget | Proposed Budget Toolkit | Board’s Requested Budget | Requested Budget Documents | Board Spring Work Sessions | Requested Budget Toolkit | County Executive’s Budget | Howard County Council Budget | Board of Education Final Budget
Superintendent Submits Proposed Budget
The Superintendent presents a proposed budget to the Board of Education.
The recommendations contained in the proposed budget represent collaborative, strategic and forward-thinking work over several months to balance the budget based on revenue assumptions and current information available. This year, the Superintendent brought forward a proposal that not only considers our expenditure needs, but also balances those expenditure needs with an assumption of a reasonable funding increase that aligns with last year’s funding increase.
FY 2026 Proposed Budget Toolkit
This toolkit was created to help HCPSS stakeholders more easily understand the Superintendent’s FY 2026 Proposed Operating Budget without having to navigate the 700-page budget book. The documents will be updated as new information and changes occur.
- Message from the Superintendent (PDF)
- Factors Influencing Budget (PDF)
- Executive Function Summary (PDF)
- Division of Deputy Superintendent Summary (PDF)
- Division of Equity & Innovation Summary (PDF)
- Division of Financial Management Summary (PDF)
- Division of Academics Summary (PDF)
- Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Summary (PDF)
Board of Education Reviews Proposed Budget and Adopts Requested Budget
The Board of Education holds work sessions and public hearings to gather feedback on and revise the operating budget.
Board meetings, including work sessions and public hearings, may be viewed live or on-demand online, and during and after each meeting on Howard County Comcast channel 95 or Verizon channel 42.
Work Session
January 23, 2025, 1 p.m.
Work Session Agenda & Documents
Discussed: Division of Operations; Division of Academics (Special Education)
Work Session
February 6, 2025, 1 p.m.
Work Session Agenda & Documents
Discussed: Division of Academics (Academics; Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment); Division of Schools (Schools; Student Well-Being; Safety and Security)
Work Session
February 20, 2025, 1 p.m.
Work Session Agenda & Documents
Discussed: Division of Equity and Innovation; Division of the Deputy Superintendent; Executive Functions; Division of Financial Management
Budget Deliberations & Regular Board Meeting
February 27, 2025, 4 p.m.
Adoption of the Board’s Requested FY26 Operating & Capital Budgets & FY26-31 Capital Improvement Program
March 4, 2025, 4:30 p.m.
BOE Requested Budget Overview
The Howard County Board of Education adopted its Operating and Capital Budget Requests for the 2025-2026 school year (Fiscal Year 2026) during its meeting on March 4, 2025.
FY 2026 Requested Budget Toolkit
This toolkit was created to help HCPSS stakeholders more easily understand the Board’s FY 2026 Requested Operating Budget without having to navigate the 700-page budget book. The documents will be updated as new information and changes occur.
- Message from the Board of Education (PDF)
- Factors Influencing Budget (PDF)
- Executive Function Summary (PDF)
- Division of Deputy Superintendent Summary (PDF)
- Division of Equity & Innovation Summary (PDF)
- Division of Financial Management Summary (PDF)
- Division of Academics Summary (PDF)
- Department of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Summary (PDF)
County Executive Submits Proposed Budget
The Howard County Executive reviews the Board’s request and submits a proposed Howard County budget to the Howard County Council.
Howard County Government Budget Website →
04/21/2025: Howard County Government press release – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball Unveils Balanced Fiscal Year 2026 Operating Budget Proposal
Spring 2025
Board of Education Holds Additional Work Sessions & Public Hearings
Following the adoption of its proposed budget, the Board of Education holds additional work sessions and public hearings, as needed.
Spring 2025
Public Hearing
May 1, 2025, 7 p.m.
Work Session
May 7, 2025, 2 p.m.
County Council Adopts Budget
The Howard County Council holds public hearings, implements revisions, and adopts a budget for the county that includes funding the school system.
May 2025
Board of Education Adopts Final Budget
The Board of Education adopts a detailed school system budget, which serves as the final Approved Operating Budget.
May 2025
Adoption of Final FY26 Operating & Capital Budgets & FY26-31 Capital Improvement Program
May 22, 2025, 8:30 a.m.