$112.5M Expenditure Increase In HCPSS Proposed Operating Budget

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — The proposed fiscal year 2023 operating budget for Howard County Public Schools totals $1.07 billion with an expenditure increase of $112.5 million. HCPSS Superintendent Michael J. Martirano presented the proposed operating budget before the board of education Thursday. The board now will hold a series of public hearings and work sessions before submitting the board's requested budget to the county executive by the beginning of March 2022.

If approved by the board of education, the request to the county for funding of $748.3 million represents a $119.9 million increase in recurring funds, or a 19.1 percent increase from fiscal year 2022. State funding totals $303.3 million, an increase of $20.9 million, or 7.4 percent.

Martirano said during the meeting that the pandemic has permanently reshaped and redefined public education service levels, compounding the challenges for staff in meeting students' needs. The budget proposal advances resources and new staff positions necessary to prepare HCPSS to meet students' increased needs for academic and behavioral supports, special education and health services; to sustain the technological infrastructure built up over the last two years that has become integral to the classroom and HCPSS operations; and to maintain school buildings to sustain a healthy in-person learning environment.

The proposal includes:

• $6.4 million and 65 new staff positions to shore up critical areas in health and well-being services and instructional support
• $7.0 million and 144 positions to further address critical shortages in special education staffing, to build on the system's record growth advanced for special education over the last several budget years
• $26.8 million for technology, including 15 new positions, student devices, classroom technology, specialized instructional technology, networking and security
• $4.6 million and 42 positions to sustain enhanced air filtration measures and increased maintenance and cleaning of schools
• $5.2 million and 4 positions for student bus services that have been significantly disrupted during the pandemic

Blueprint for Maryland's Future
The fiscal year 2023 budget will set the framework for the funding needed to meet the requirements of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, which takes effect this year and will be rolled out during the next 10 years.

The superintendent's fiscal year 2023 budget proposal includes $34.3 million and 199 new staff positions to fulfill provisions of the Blueprint that must be implemented during fiscal year 2023 and to position HCPSS to continue implementing Blueprint deadlines that phase in over multiple fiscal years. The proposal includes:

• $12.3 million to increase teacher compensation
• $7.1 million and 143.2 positions to begin the expansion to full-day prekindergarten for 3- and 4-year-olds
• $4.7 million and 40 positions to support college and career readiness efforts and expand dual enrollment participation
• $3.7 million in compensation for teachers achieving the professional distinction of National Board Certification
• $2.1 million and 15 positions to build organizational capacity to meet Blueprint governance, accountability and reporting requirements

Other Funding Obligations
The fiscal year 2023 budget proposal includes a total of $41.5 million for staff compensation to fulfill fiscal year 2022 bargaining agreements, as well as to increase salaries in fiscal year 2023 to support the system in remaining competitive as an employer in a competitive market and provide for increased benefit costs. The proposal also includes $2.0 million and 14 staff positions to support the scheduled opening of the 13th high school in the fall 2023.

The board will hold public hearings on the superintendent's fiscal year 2023 budget proposal at 7 p.m. on Jan. 27, Feb. 7 and Feb. 17, 2022.