Harford County Board Of Education Approves $57.8 Million Budget For Fiscal Year 2024

HAVRE DE GRACE - On Monday, the Harford County Board of Education unanimously approved an amended budget request for the 2024 fiscal year.

The budget totals $57.8 million, $1.1 million more than the initial budget proposal for FY 2024. Of the $57.8 million budget request, HCPS is requesting that $36.5 million be provided by the county and $21.3 million from the state.

The school system must now submit its intended amendments to the Maryland State Department of Education by March 17. It is also required to provide a letter stating the board's approval of the modifications and a letter of support from County Executive Bob Cassilly by April 13.

The request for funding from the county decreased slightly since the initial proposal, falling from $36.6 million to $36.5 million, a change of just over $100,000. To accommodate this, the state request has increased by $1.2 million.

Governor Moore's preliminary FY24 budget, released in January, invests a total of $8.8 billion in Maryland public schools. Of the $8.8 billion, $485 million has been earmarked for school construction and renovation.

HCPS is seeking funding for several school renovations and replacements, including a new Havre de Grace Elementary School roof.

HCPS proposed renovation and replacements projects include:

• $2.6 million for a roof replacement at Havre de Grace Elementary School
• $21.4 million for a limited renovation at Harford Technical High School
• $17 million for an HVAC systemic renovation at Aberdeen Middle School
• $16 million for a new building for Harford Academy at Campus Hills

The state also adjusted its Enrollment Growth and Relocatable Classroom program requirements. School districts with enrollment growth projections over 150% of the statewide average are now eligible to receive funding through the program. Additionally, any school district with more than 300 relocatable classrooms is eligible.

Harford County Public Schools' projected enrollment growth is currently above 150%, the Baltimore Sun reports, making HCPS eligible for additional funding.

More information about the capital improvement program budget is available at hcps.org.

You can read more about proposed renovation projects here.