Howard County schools got 99% of their budget request. Some still want more.

For the first time in years, the Howard County Board of Education isn’t struggling with what beloved program or staff positions to cut this spring.

County Executive Calvin Ball’s budget proposal covered more of the school system’s request than ever before. His $871.5 million recommendation covered 99.3% of what the school board wanted, leaving a $6.2 million gap for school officials to close.

That gap is smaller than ever under Ball, which puts the board in a different position than in recent years, Chair Jen Mallo said.

“We’re not absolutely scrambling to find alternative placement for folks, we’re not feeling the emotional toll of having to make cuts dramatically, and that is certainly a huge and welcome relief,” Mallo said.

Although many in the school system are relieved they don’t face tough choices, some argue Ball’s proposal is not enough.

The Howard County Education Association and the PTA Council of Howard County want the County Council to close the $6.2 million gap to fully fund the school system.

Last year, the school board axed darling programs like third grade orchestra and cut over 100 staffing positions to help balance the budget.

For the upcoming school year, the county is paying for slightly more than two-thirds of the school system’s planned $1.3 billion operating budget. Other funding comes largely from the state, plus a few smaller resources.

In the past four budget years, the school system has spent roughly $81 million in one-time funding to plug holes.

To close the $6.2 million gap in county funds, Superintendent Bill Barnes is recommending using one-time funds.

“I’m grateful for Dr. Ball’s proposed investment, which puts us on a path toward a final school system budget that is balanced and addresses many of the most pressing needs,” Barnes said at a recent public hearing.

In his budget proposal, Barnes invested heavily in special education and resources for children learning English.

During Ball’s two terms as county executive (he’s term limited and can’t run again this year), the county has weathered the two longest federal government shutdowns in history, the global coronavirus pandemic and a deficit in the school system’s health fund.

As a result, his budgets didn’t fully fund the school system’s requests.

“But, despite those challenges, Howard County has led on bolstering funding for public education, fulfilling the Blueprint for Maryland’s future and working collaboratively to support students and educators,” Ball said in an interview.

Ball said the county has increased recurring funding to the school system by more than $280 million over the past eight years. Those increased dollars have allowed starting teacher salaries to rise from $48,500 to nearly $63,000 since Ball took office.

His $871.5 million recommendation for the next fiscal year directs 66% of new county revenue to the school system, Ball said. That new revenue, primarily from the income tax, is projected to come in at $116 million.

“I know the needs of our school system and students are great, but there’s also work ahead and we are going to, through difficult times, continue those strong funding commitments, and I’m glad we have a strong foundation for the future,” Ball said.

County Councilwoman Liz Walsh, who in her two terms has been a staunch advocate of education funding, said “this year is a trauma-free budget season.”

Walsh, who is running for county executive, said the noise of recent years — losing hundreds of teachers, threats of classroom size increases and axing programs — is no more. She credits Barnes and the school board for their pragmatic budget approach.

“Hopefully, the downward spiral has closed and now we can rebuild and look forward to the long term,” Walsh said.

But Ben Schmitt, the teachers union president, urged the council at a recent budget public hearing to close the funding gap as a “meaningful step toward ending the cycle of forcing the school system to use one-time money for ongoing obligations.”

Like Schmitt, Anthony DeBella, whose child goes to county schools, wants the council to fully fund the system’s request. DeBella doesn’t think the school system should “spend down” its fund balance — essentially leftover money — this year.

“If you are not going to replenish the fund balance in a good revenue year, then who is going to replenish it?” asked DeBella, who co-chairs the Operating Budget Review Committee, which provides recommendations to the board.

The County Council is expected to approve the overall county operating budget Wednesday, with the board of education anticipated to adopt the school system’s spending plan Thursday. The fiscal year begins July 1.