Harford County Board Of Education Schedules Special Meeting To Discuss Finalized FY 2024 Budget

HARFORD COUNTY - The Harford County Board of Education has scheduled a special session for Tuesday, June 20, to align the Harford County Public Schools' 2024 fiscal budget with the freshly approved FY 2024 county budget.

On Wednesday, Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly signed the $1.2 billion fiscal 2024 budget, with HCPS receiving around $315 million. After initially describing the proposed budget as "the worst-case scenario," HCPS and Cassilly reached an agreement promising additional funds for the public education system.

Cassilly's initial school budget proposal of $304.8 million fell $39 million short of the school system's operating budget proposal and was $19.4 million less than the current year's budget. As part of the agreement, the Board of Education committed $15 million from its surplus funds (fund balance) towards the 2024 fiscal budget, while Cassilly pledged an additional $10 million specifically for instructional salaries.

According to the mutual agreement, the County Executive's contribution would facilitate either a pay rise for teachers or a reduction in class sizes. The funds for this would be sourced from a 2.5% reduction in all county department budgets and other cost-saving measures.

Additionally, the Harford County government and Harford County Public Schools will adhere to a new budget process that ensures year-long collaboration and exchange of information between the two bodies.

The 60-minute BOE meeting will commence at 5:30 p.m. in the Board Room of the A.A. Roberty Building, 102 Hickory Ave., Bel Air. The session will also be broadcast live on the HCPS website.

The board will accept public comments only if related to the FY 2024 budget. Those interested in expressing their views on the budget are asked to email publiccomment@hcps.org or call 410-588-5347.

Registration by Tuesday noon is mandatory for those intending to comment virtually.

More News from Havre de Grace

• Cassilly Urges Review Of Councilman's Eligibility Amid Sheriff's Deputy Appointment The Harford County Executive is calling on the county council to remove Aaron Penman due to his position as a sheriff's deputy - echoing previous conflicts with Jacob Bennett.
• Kachina, Maryland's Leading K9 Arson Detective, Bids Farewell After Stellar Eight-Year Career The ten-year-old black lab will conclude her service with a list of accomplishments rivaling any top detective.