Budget Presentation
January 9, 2025, 4 p.m.
FY 2026 Operating Budget Process
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 Toolkit | Board Spring Work Sessions | 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.
January 2025
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 16, 2025, 7 p.m.
Work Session
January 23, 2025, 1 p.m.
Public Hearing
January 30, 2025, 7 p.m.
Work Session
February 6, 2025, 1 p.m.
Public Hearing
February 10, 2025, 7 p.m.
Work Session
February 20, 2025, 1 p.m.
Adoption of Board Requested FY26 Operating & Capital Budgets & FY26-31 Capital Improvement Program
February 27, 2025, 4 p.m.
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.
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
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, 4 p.m.