Harford County Public Schools, MD

4:30 P.M. Virtual Open to Closed Meeting of the Board of Education of Howard County

The Board of Education of Howard County will hold a virtual open meeting that immediately moves to a closed session. The board will vote on a motion to close the meeting to discuss collective bargaining negotiations and related matters. The closed session agenda lists only negotiations.

• Vote to close the meeting for collective bargaining negotiations
• Closed session to discuss negotiations and related legal matters

4 p.m. Meeting of the Board of Education of Howard County - No Evening Session

The Board of Education will hear the Operating Budget Review Committee's final report, discuss development of the Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Budget, and vote on consent items including bids/contracts, donations, the FY2027 Comprehensive Maintenance Plan, and the FY2027 Internal Audit Plan. Public forums are scheduled at both the 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. sessions.

• Operating Budget Review Committee (OBRC) Final Report presented by co-chairs
• Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Budget development kickoff discussion
• FY2027 Comprehensive Maintenance Plan approval
• Proposed FY2027 Internal Audit Plan approval
• Bids and contracts consent action

The Board of Education approved the personnel agenda, administrative appointments, and a comprehensive consent agenda. A motion to rescind a June 25th resolution regarding the Facilities Prioritization Workgroup failed. The Board also held a kickoff discussion for the Fiscal Year 2028 Capital Budget.

• Approved Personnel Agenda (5-0, 1 abstain)
• Approved Administrative Appointments and Promotions (5-0, 1 abstain)
• Approved Restricted Consent Agenda including July 7 and July 13 closed meeting minutes (6-0)
• Approved Bids and Contracts (6-0)
• Approved FY 2027 Comprehensive Maintenance Plan (6-0)
• Approved Proposed FY 2027 Internal Audit Plan (6-0)
• Approved Proposed FY 2027 OBRC Charter (6-0)
• Denied motion to rescind June 25th Facilities Prioritization Workgroup Resolution (2-4)

4:30 P.M. Virtual Open to Closed Meeting of the Board of Education of Howard County

The Board of Education of Howard County will meet in a virtual session that moves from open to closed. The closed session is scheduled to discuss personnel matters, collective bargaining negotiations, and ethics panel recommendations.

• Personnel appointments and promotions
• Collective bargaining negotiations
• Ethics panel recommendations

The Board of Education met in a virtual closed session to discuss personnel matters and collective bargaining. The Board voted on appointments, promotions, and ethics panel recommendations, though specific outcomes were not detailed in the record.

• Approved motion to enter closed session (6/0)
• Voted on appointments and promotions
• Voted on Panel Ethics recommendations

4:30 P.M. Virtual Open to Closed Meeting of the Board of Education of Howard County

The Board of Education of Howard County will convene a virtual open meeting and then vote to enter a closed session to conduct collective bargaining negotiations. The only substantive item on the agenda is a motion to close the meeting for that purpose.

• Motion to close session for collective bargaining negotiations

The board approved a motion to enter a closed session at 4:30 p.m. to discuss collective bargaining negotiations. The minutes note that members discussed the negotiations and voted on the matter, but do not record the specific outcome or tally. These negotiations determine school district staff contracts, which directly affect district operations and services. The meeting adjourned at 5:22 p.m.

• Approved motion to enter closed session (5/0)
• Discussed collective bargaining negotiations (outcome not recorded)

4 & 7 p.m. Meeting of the Board of Education of Howard County

The Board of Education ratified a collective bargaining agreement with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). It also approved new contract hires, administrative appointments, and a consent agenda that included donations, bids/contracts, and federal grants for Perkins, IDEA Part C, and IDEA Part B programs. The board recognized the student member and heard public comments on libraries and Asian American history in elementary schools.

• Ratified agreement with AFSCME employee bargaining unit
• Approved new staff personnel hires and administrative appointments/promotions
• Approved FY27 Perkins Formula Grant for career and technical education
• Approved FY27 IDEA Part C and Part B grants for special education
• Approved donations and bids/contracts as part of consent agenda

The Board of Education ratified an agreement with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. Members also approved multiple grading and reporting policies and a series of consent agenda items.

• Ratified the AFSCME agreement
• Approved Student Member of the Board of Education Proclamation
• Approved Personnel Agenda (1 abstention)
• Approved Restricted Consent Agenda
• Approved Consent Agenda items A, C, D, E, F, G, I
• Approved 2026 Educational Facilities Master Plan (3 nay)
• Approved Policy 9000 - Student Residency, Eligibility, Enrollment and Assignment (1 nay)
• Approved Policy 8015 - PreK-12 Promotion, Retention, and Accelerated Grade Placement

4:30 P.M. Virtual Open to Closed Meeting of the Board of Education of Howard County

The Board of Education of Howard County is voting to convene a closed meeting to discuss personnel matters, collective bargaining negotiations, and an ethics panel recommendation. The action was approved by a 7-0 vote. No public decisions or proposals are on the agenda.

• Motion to close session citing personnel, negotiations, and ethics panel recommendation
• Closed session agenda includes three topics: Personnel, Negotiations, Ethics Panel Recommendation
• Motion carried 7-0; all members present voted yea

The Board of Education met in a closed session to address several personnel and negotiation matters. The session included discussions regarding staff appointments, promotions, an Ethics Panel recommendation, and collective bargaining negotiations.

• Approved transition to closed session (6-0)
• Voted on staff appointments and promotions
• Voted on Ethics Panel recommendation
• Voted on collective bargaining negotiations

4:00 p.m. Special Meeting of the Board of Education of Howard County - NO EVENING SESSION

The Board of Education holds a special meeting with a superintendent's report, personnel appointments, and several consent agenda items. They will hear a report on the 2026 Educational Facilities Master Plan, a literacy policy update, and receive a quarterly data update on five focus areas. Most action items, including personnel and consent items, were approved by votes.

• Approved administrative appointments and promotions (Personnel Agenda)
• Received report on the 2026 Educational Facilities Master Plan
• Heard MSDE Literacy Policy and District Implementation Report
• Approved July–September 2026 Quarterly Agenda and 2026-2027 Board meeting schedule
• Received 2025-26 Five Focus Areas Quarterly Data Update (Quarter 3)

The Board approved the meeting agenda. It approved the Personnel Agenda covering appointments and promotions. Both the restricted consent agenda and the regular consent agenda were approved. All motions carried with the recorded vote counts.

• Agenda approved (7 yeas)
• Personnel agenda approved (6 yeas, 1 abstain)
• Restricted consent agenda approved (7 yeas)
• Consent agenda approved (7 yeas)

4:30 P.M. Virtual Open to Closed Meeting of the Board of Education of Howard County

The Board of Education of Howard County voted unanimously (5-0) to convene a closed session to discuss personnel matters and collective bargaining negotiations. The open portion of the meeting was only procedural before moving to closed session.

• Motion by Meg Ricks, second by Linfeng Chen to close the meeting for personnel and negotiations discussion
• Vote: 5 yeas (Jacquelin McCoy, Jolene Mosley, Meg Ricks, Linfeng Chen, Jennifer Swickard Mallo), Andrea Chamblee not present
• Closed session agenda includes items on Personnel and Negotiations
• Meeting held virtually at 4:30 P.M. on June 8, 2026

The Board of Education held a closed session to address staff appointments, promotions, and collective bargaining negotiations. Specific outcomes for individual personnel matters or negotiation terms were not recorded in the minutes.

• Entered closed session (5-0)
• Reviewed staff appointments and promotions
• Discussed collective bargaining negotiations

2:00 p.m. Audit and Finance Committee Virtual Meeting of the Board of Education of Howard County

The Audit and Finance Committee will review and discuss school audits for several Howard County schools, including issued audits for Cedar Lane, Centennial HS, Homewood Center, and River Hill HS, and in-progress audits for Clarksville MS, Hammond HS, Longfellow ES, and Veterans ES. The committee will also discuss a risk assessment, receive an update on the OBRC, and approve minutes from the previous meeting. No votes or decisions are scheduled; the meeting is largely discussion-based.

• Approval of December 19, 2025 audit committee minutes
• Discussion of issued school audits: Cedar Lane School, Centennial HS, Homewood Center, River Hill HS
• Discussion of in-progress audits: Clarksville MS, Hammond HS, Longfellow ES, Veterans ES
• Discussion of planning-stage audits: Ellicott Mills MS, Thomas Viaduct MS
• Risk assessment discussion and OBRC update

The Audit and Finance Committee approved the meeting agenda and the December 19, 2025 minutes by consensus. The committee scheduled its next meeting for September 11 at 1 p.m. The meeting was adjourned at 2:24 p.m.

• Approved agenda (consensus)
• Approved December 19, 2025 meeting minutes (consensus)
• Scheduled next meeting for September 11, 2026 at 1 p.m. (consensus)
• Adjourned meeting at 2:24 p.m. (consensus)

3:30 p.m. Virtual Meeting of the Board of Education of Howard County - Policy Committee

The Board of Education Policy Committee will meet virtually to discuss and review three policies: Policy 2010 on student representation, Policy 4050 on procurement of goods and services, and Policy 5200 on student transportation. The committee will also approve minutes from a prior meeting and review the status of policies under consideration.

• Discussion of Policy 2010 Student Representation
• Discussion of Policy 4050 Procurement of Goods and/or Services
• Discussion of Policy 5200 Student Transportation
• Approval of May 12, 2026 Policy Committee meeting minutes

The Policy Committee met virtually to approve the meeting agenda and May 12 minutes by consensus. Staff then opened discussions on Policies 2010, 4050, and 5200 for clarifying questions with committee members. No final votes or policy changes were recorded during this session. Next meeting dates remain to be determined.

• Approved agenda and May 12 minutes by consensus
• Opened discussion on Policy 2010 (Student Representation) for clarifying questions
• Opened discussion on Policy 4050 (Procurement of Goods/Services) for clarifying questions
• Opened discussion on Policy 5200 (Student Transportation) for clarifying questions
• Set next committee meeting dates to TBD

4:30 p.m. Board of Education Work Session and Approval (tentative) of the FY27 Operating & Capital Budgets & FY27-32 Capital Improvement Program

The Howard County Board of Education held a work session and approved the FY27 operating budget at $1,692,542,271, the capital budget at $122,704,000, and the FY27-36 Long-Range Master Plan at $1,408,177,000. The board also adopted tuition rates and authorized using $6.8M from fund balance. Motions to remove 6.0 FTE safety assistant positions and 1.0 FTE HR secretary failed.

• Approved revised FY27 Operating Budget: $1,692,542,271
• Approved revised FY27 Capital Budget: $122,704,000
• Approved FY27-2036 Long-Range Master Plan: $1,408,177,000
• Set tuition rates: In-State Elementary/Secondary $15,700, Special Ed $47,100; Out-of-State $23,170/$69,510
• Failed motions to eliminate 6.0 FTE School and Culture Safety Assistant positions and 1.0 FTE Administrative Secretary in HR

4 & 7 p.m. Meeting of the Board of Education of Howard County

The Howard County Board of Education met on May 19, 2026, and took action on several items. They approved the student code of conduct, 2026-2027 school lunch prices, the Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) chart, and other consent agenda items. A motion to approve an unidentified consent agenda item (Item I) failed on a 4-2 vote with one abstention.

• Approved Student Code of Conduct to reduce disproportionate suspension rates
• Approved 2026-2027 School Lunch Prices
• Approved Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) Chart for equitable resource distribution
• Approved Staff Personnel and Administrative Appointments and Promotions
• Motion to approve consent agenda Item I failed (4 yea, 2 nay, 1 abstain)

The Board of Education approved the 2026-2027 school lunch prices and several policies regarding bullying, athletics, and procurement. The Board failed to reach an agreement on an inclement weather virtual education plan and rejected a proposal for student residency and enrollment policy.

• Approved 2026-2027 School Lunch Prices
• Approved Policy 4040 Fixed Assets
• Approved modified Policy 6030 Procurement of Architectural and Construction Management Services
• Approved Policy 7140 and 9460 regarding Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment, and Intimidation
• Approved Policy 9080 Interscholastic Athletic Program
• Denied Policy 9000 Student Residency, Eligibility, Enrollment and Assignment
• Denied three separate options for Inclement Weather - Virtual Education Day Plan
• Approved Personnel Agenda and Appointments/Promotions

4:30 P.M. Virtual Open to Closed Meeting of the Board of Education of Howard County

The Board of Education of Howard County is holding a virtual meeting that begins in open session and then votes to move into closed session. The sole action item is a motion to close the meeting to discuss personnel matters, including appointments, employment, and performance evaluations. The agenda contains no other public business or decisions.

• Motion to convene closed session to discuss personnel matters (appointment, employment, discipline, compensation, etc.)

The Board of Education of Howard County met virtually in closed session to discuss personnel matters. The session was called by a motion from Ms. Ricks and approved by a 6-0 vote. No substantive actions were taken during the meeting.

• Approved motion to enter closed session (6-0)
• Discussed personnel appointments and promotions
• Discussed matters affecting specific individuals
• No action taken on personnel matters

4:30 p.m. Virtual Meeting of the Board of Education of Howard County - Policy Committee

The Board of Education Policy Committee will review and discuss several education policies, including grading and reporting for middle/high school and elementary, student discipline, and promotion/retention. The meeting is virtual; community members can email to observe.

• Discussion of Policy 8020 Grading and Reporting: Middle and High School
• Discussion of Policy 9200 Student Discipline
• Discussion of Policy 8015 Pre-K-12 Promotion, Retention and Accelerated Grade Placement
• Discussion of Policy 8010 Grading & Reporting: Pre-Kindergarten - Grade 5
• Approval of April 14, 2026 Policy Committee meeting minutes

The Policy Committee held a virtual meeting to review the current policy activity chart. Members discussed several policies including middle/high school grading, student discipline, grade placement, and pre-K through grade 5 grading.

• Approved agenda and April 14, 2026 minutes by consensus
• Discussed Policy 8020 – Grading and Reporting: Middle and High School
• Discussed Policy 9200 Student Discipline
• Discussed Policy 8015 Pre-K-12 Promotion, Retention and Accelerated Grade Placement
• Discussed Policy 8010 – Grading & Reporting: Pre-Kindergarten – Grade 5

4:30 P.M. Virtual Open to Closed Meeting of the Board of Education of Howard County

The Board of Education held a brief open session solely to vote to close the meeting for collective bargaining negotiations. The only action taken was approving the move to closed session, with no public discussion of substantive agenda items.

• Motion to close meeting for collective bargaining negotiations (Carried 6-0, McCoy absent)

The Board of Education entered a closed session to conduct or consider matters related to collective bargaining negotiations. The motion to enter the closed session was approved by a 6-0 vote.

• Entered closed session for collective bargaining negotiations (6-0)

4:30 P.M. Virtual Open to Closed Meeting of the Board of Education of Howard County

The Board of Education of Howard County convened a virtual open-to-closed meeting and voted unanimously to enter a closed session. The closed session is to discuss personnel matters, including appointments, employment, and performance evaluations. No substantive public business was conducted.

• Motion to close session carried unanimously (7 yeas)
• Closed session agenda item: Personnel

The Board of Education met in a closed session to discuss personnel matters. The Board reviewed and voted on staff promotions presented by staff.

• Approved motion to enter closed session to discuss personnel (7-0)
• Voted on staff promotions (tally not recorded)

4 & 7 p.m. Meeting of the Board of Education of Howard County

The Board of Education of Howard County approved personnel actions including the non-renewal of teacher Michael Carson's contract and a staff personnel action for Maira Lazdins. The board also approved a consent agenda covering donations, bids and contracts, FY26 year-end categorical transfers, revised community use of schools fees for 2026-2027, a school facility mapping grant, and ethics panel findings. Public forum included speakers on curriculum and student mental health support.

• Non-renewal of teacher Michael Carson's contract approved
• Staff personnel action for Maira Lazdins approved
• FY26 year-end categorical transfers approved
• Revised community use of schools fees for 2026-2027 approved
• Bids and contracts, donations, and school facility mapping grant approved

The board approved the meeting agenda and the personnel agenda. It voted to non‑renew Michael Carson’s teaching contract. The board also approved several consent‑agenda items, including community‑use school fees (5‑2) and a set of restricted items (7‑0). All proclamations were approved unanimously.

• Approved meeting agenda (8‑0)
• Approved staff personnel agenda (6‑0, 1 abstain)
• Approved non‑renewal of teacher Michael Carson’s contract (6‑0, 1 abstain)
• Approved restricted consent items A,B,C,E,F,G (7‑0)
• Approved community‑use school fees 2026‑2027 (5‑2)
• Approved consent agenda (8‑0)
• Approved proclamations for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, and Jewish American History Month (8‑0)

10:00 a.m. Virtual Meeting of the Board of Education of Howard County - Legislative Committee

The Howard County Board of Education Legislative Committee will meet virtually to approve the agenda and minutes from March 25, 2026, receive an update on the current status of state bills impacting the school system, and set meeting dates for the 2026-2027 committee year, which are to be determined. No specific bills or decisions are listed on the agenda.

• Approval of March 25, 2026 Legislative Committee meeting minutes
• Update on current status of legislative bills
• Scheduling of 2026-2027 committee meeting dates (TBD)

This was a procedural committee meeting with no substantive policy decisions. The Legislative Committee approved the agenda and 03 25 26 minutes by consensus. Staff provided a legislative session update and bill status, followed by member discussion. The committee directed staff to coordinate future meeting dates for the 2026-2027 term.

• Approved agenda and 03 25 26 minutes by consensus
• Received legislative session update and bill status report
• Directed staff to coordinate 2026-2027 legislative committee meeting dates

4:30 p.m. Virtual Meeting of the Board of Education of Howard County - Policy Committee

The Board of Education Policy Committee will discuss three policies: Policy 9080 on the Interscholastic Athletic Program, Policy 9460/7140 on bullying and harassment involving students and employees, and an amended Policy 2020 on policy development and adoption. The committee will also approve previous meeting minutes and review the status of current policies under review.

• Discussion of Policy 9080 - Interscholastic Athletic Program
• Discussion of Policy 9460 - Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment, and Intimidation involving students
• Discussion of Policy 7140 - Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment and Intimidation Involving Employees
• Amended Policy 2020 - Policy Development and Adoption for approval
• Approval of minutes from February 3, 2026 Policy Committee meeting

4:30 P.M. Virtual Open to Closed Meeting of the Board of Education of Howard County

The Board of Education of Howard County approved the consent agenda including the Dunloggin Middle School Renovation and Addition Design Development Report. It also approved a proclamation for Administrative Professionals Week and then voted to enter a closed session to discuss collective bargaining negotiations, legal advice, and an ethics panel complaint (case #2025-2026-01). The closed session agenda includes negotiations, legal advice, and personnel matters.

• Approval of Dunloggin MS Design Development Report for renovation and addition
• Proclamation for Administrative Professionals Week approved
• Closed session for collective bargaining negotiations and legal advice
• Closed session to discuss personnel ethics panel complaint #2025-2026-01
• Motion to close carried unanimously with one abstention on consent agenda

The board approved the meeting agenda. It also approved the consent agenda, including the Dunloggin Middle School design development report, with one member abstaining. A proclamation recognizing Administrative Professionals Week was approved. The board voted to close the session to discuss collective bargaining, legal advice, and an ethics complaint.

• Approved meeting agenda (motion carried)
• Approved consent agenda, including Dunloggin MS Design Development Report (motion carried; 1 abstention)
• Approved proclamation for Administrative Professionals Week (motion carried)
• Approved motion to close session for collective bargaining, legal advice, and personnel matters (motion carried)

4 & 7 p.m. Meeting of the Board of Education of Howard County

The Board of Education voted to approve the consent agenda, which included the Dunloggin Middle School renovation design development report, donations, and bids/contracts. They also approved personnel actions, instructional resources, policy updates (Policy 2020 and Policy 10030), and proclamations guidelines. Public forum heard from several residents on school successes and building concerns.

• Dunloggin MS Renovation and Addition Project design development report approved
• Staff personnel action approved (Maira Lazdins)
• Donations accepted (details in attachment)
• Bids and contracts approved (details in attachment)
• Policy 2020 (Policy Development and Adoption) and Policy 10030 (Contests Sponsored by Outside Organizations) approved

The Board of Education approved several agenda items including personnel, consent agenda, and various proclamations. The Board also voted on specific legislative positions regarding state bills and local government access to public records.

• Approved meeting agenda (7-0)
• Approved Staff Personnel agenda (5-0, 1 abstention)
• Approved Restricted Consent Agenda items (7-0)
• Approved Consent Agenda items (7-0, 1 abstention)
• Approved four proclamations (7-0)
• Approved legislative recommendations excluding specific bills (7-0)
• Opposed HB0575 regarding student attendance (4-2)
• Supported HB0962 regarding local public campaign financing (7-0)

10:00 Legislative Committee - Virtual Meeting of the Board of Education of Howard County

The Board of Education Legislative Committee will meet virtually to consider proposed bills and other legislative issues, approve the agenda and minutes from the March 4 meeting, and schedule the next meeting for April 1, 2026. The agenda is largely procedural with no specific bills or dollar amounts detailed.

• Approve meeting minutes from March 4, 2026
• Consider proposed bills for potential Board action
• Discuss other legislative issues affecting the school system
• Schedule next meeting for April 1, 2026

The Legislative Committee held a virtual meeting to review the status of bills via tracking reports. No substantive legislative actions or policy decisions were recorded during this session.

• Approved agenda and March 4, 2026 minutes by consensus

7 p.m. Virtual Board of Education Public Hearings - Policy 3010 Emergency Preparedness and Response and Policy 9270 - Student Assault and/or Battery on Employees

The Board of Education held virtual public hearings on Policy 3010 (Emergency Preparedness and Response) and Policy 9270 (Student Assault and/or Battery on Employees). One student, Jacob Patterson, testified on the emergency preparedness policy; no speakers testified on the student assault policy. The board also approved the agenda. These were public hearings to gather community input; no decisions were made.

• Public hearing on Policy 3010 Emergency Preparedness and Response
• Public hearing on Policy 9270 Student Assault and/or Battery on Employees
• Student Jacob Patterson testified on Policy 3010
• No speakers testified on Policy 9270
• Board approved the agenda

The Board of Education held virtual public hearings regarding Policy 3010 and Policy 9270. No substantive decisions or policy changes were recorded during these hearings.

• Approved the agenda (5-0)

4:30 P.M. Virtual Open to Closed Meeting of the Board of Education of Howard County

The Board of Education unanimously approved the agenda, consent agenda items including bids and contracts and the April-June 2026 quarterly agenda, then voted to convene a closed session to discuss collective bargaining negotiations. All actions were taken with five yeas and one member not present; the student member was restricted from voting on the consent agenda.

• Approval of bids and contracts (specific details not provided in the open agenda)
• Approval of April-June 2026 Quarterly Agenda
• Vote to close session for collective bargaining negotiations

The Board approved the meeting agenda and several consent agenda items. The Board then moved into a closed session to discuss matters relating to collective bargaining negotiations.

• Approved meeting agenda (5-0)
• Approved Restricted Consent Agenda regarding bids and contracts (5-0)
• Approved April-June Quarterly Agenda (5-0)
• Entered closed session for collective bargaining negotiations (5-0)

7 p.m. Virtual Meeting with Board of Education and PTA Presidents, SECAC & CAC

This virtual meeting is a discussion session between the Howard County Board of Education and representatives from PTA presidents, SECAC, and CAC. The only agenda item is a general Questions & Responses discussion, supported by an attached document. No votes or decisions are scheduled; the meeting is primarily for dialogue.

• Discussion item: Questions & Responses with attached PDF (03 05 Questions.responses Updated.pdf)
• Virtual meeting format with Board of Education, PTA Presidents, SECAC, and CAC

The Howard County Board of Education met virtually on March 5, 2026 with PTA Presidents, the Community Advisory Council, and the Special Education Citizens Advisory Committee. Members reviewed subjects such as school renovations, budget priorities, curriculum, technology, and transportation. No formal actions, approvals, or votes were recorded in the minutes. The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

10:00 Legislative Committee - Virtual Meeting of the Board of Education of Howard County

The Legislative Committee of the Howard County Board of Education will meet virtually to consider proposed bills and other legislative issues. The committee will also act on the minutes from the February 18, 2026, meeting.

• Review of proposed bills for consideration
• Discussion of other legislative issues
• Approval of February 18, 2026, meeting minutes

4 & 7 p.m. Meeting of the Board of Education of Howard County, Adoption of FY27 Operating Budget and FY27 Capital Budget & FY27-32 Capital Improvement Program Deliberation and Adoption

The Board will deliberate and adopt the FY27 Operating Budget, Capital Budget, and FY27-32 Capital Improvement Program. Also on the agenda are approval of calendar adjustments for inclement weather, staff personnel actions, and consent agenda items including donations, bids and contracts, and approval of previous meeting minutes.

• Adoption of FY27 Operating Budget and Capital Budget & FY27-32 Capital Improvement Program
• 2025-2026 school year calendar adjustments for inclement weather (adopted solution #2)
• Staff personnel actions approved
• Consent agenda: donations, bids and contracts (excluding PC24 & PC25)
• Renaming of ARL (Applied Research Lab)

1 p.m. Board of Education Work Session IV of the *Superintendent's Proposed FY27 Capital/Operating Budget

The Board of Education held Work Session IV on the Superintendent's Proposed FY27 Capital/Operating Budget. They voted to adopt the superintendent's recommended budget as the basis for the board's requested budget, with numerous amendments approved. Approved changes include technical revenue updates (increase of $8,060,120 in state aid), 13 technical expenditure adjustments (net decrease of $413,677), restoration of high school science paraeducators and media specialists, addition of 20 English Language Development teachers, and a directive to revise community-use facility fees. A motion to restore the BSAP Summer Program failed.

• Adopted superintendent's FY27 budget as basis for board's requested budget
• Approved technical revenue changes: +$8,060,120 state aid, -$993,310 PreK tuition, +$4,951 county MOE
• Approved 13 technical expenditure changes net -$413,677, including pay adjustments and staffing realignments
• Added 20 English Language Development teachers at $2,224,401 and Science of Reading training at $968,850
• Directed revision of policy 10020 to institute energy fees and change facility fees for community use

The Board of Education adopted the Superintendent’s proposed FY27 operating budget as the foundation for their requested budget. Several technical adjustments to revenue and expenditures were approved, including funding for science paraeducators, media specialists, and English language development teachers. A motion to restore budget reductions to the BSAP Summer Program failed.

• Approved agenda
• Directed Superintendent to revise policy 10020 regarding community facility use and fees
• Adopted Superintendent’s FY27 recommended budget as basis for requested budget
• Accepted three technical revenue changes including $8,060,120 increase in State Aid
• Accepted 13 technical expenditure changes resulting in a net decrease of $413,677
• Converted $4,000,000 placeholder in Special Education with an additional $56,807 cost
• Restored 13.0 FTE HS Science Paraeducators at $893,024 and 1.0 FTE at ARL at $75,143
• Restored 14 HS Media Specialists at $867,705

10:00 Legislative Committee - Virtual Meeting of the Board of Education of Howard County

The Howard County Board of Education Legislative Committee will meet virtually to approve the agenda and minutes from the February 4, 2026 meeting. The committee will also consider proposed bills and other legislative issues, though no specific bills or issues are listed in the agenda. The meeting is largely procedural, with scheduling for future meetings noted.

• Approval of February 4, 2026 legislative committee meeting minutes
• Scheduling next meeting for March 4, 2026

The Legislative Committee reviewed several proposed bills regarding school operations, student policies, and funding. The committee established position recommendations for most items by consensus, though one bill received a split vote.

• Approved agenda and 02/04/26 meeting minutes (consensus)
• Recommended no position for HB0459
• Recommended opposition to HB0575, HB0627, HB0740, HB0755, HB0781, HB0812, HB0836, HB0943, HB0961, HB0976, HB1168, SB0574, and HB0879
• Recommended support with amendments for HB0704, HB0837, and HB1192
• Recommended support for HB1006 and HB1084
• Recommended no position and referral to full board for HB0962
• Recommended opposition by two members and support by one member for HB1090

7 p.m. Board of Education Public Hearing - *Superintendent's Proposed FY27 Operating/Capital Budgets Hearing III

The Howard County Board of Education held its third public hearing on the Superintendent's Proposed FY27 Operating and Capital Budgets. The board heard oral and written testimony from 34 community members, including students, parents, and organizational representatives. The board voted to approve the meeting agenda.

• 34 community members testified during the public hearing
• Oral and written testimony was accepted from students, individuals, and groups
• Board voted unanimously to approve the agenda
• Public hearing is part of the budget adoption process for FY27

The Board of Education conducted a public hearing regarding the Superintendent's proposed FY27 operating and capital budgets. Thirty-four speakers addressed the Board during the session. No substantive budget decisions or votes were recorded during this meeting.

• Approved agenda (5-0)