In a recent work session held by the Howard County Board of Education, significant budgetary challenges were discussed that could lead to substantial cuts in school programs and staff. The proposed changes, driven by fiscal constraints and external mandates, could impact various educational services across the district.

One of the most pressing issues is the potential elimination of middle school paraeducators and the conversion of a high school media specialist position to a paraeducator role. Additionally, the board is considering reducing leadership interns and high school teacher secretaries, as well as cutting dual enrollment offerings. Elementary class sizes may increase by one student, excluding pre-K, kindergarten, and Title 1 schools, while middle and high school class sizes could also see similar increases, with exceptions for schools serving a high percentage of students qualifying for free and reduced meals.

The board outlined two budget scenarios. The first scenario proposes $7.5 million in school-based cuts affecting nearly 95 positions, alongside $1.4 million in non-school-based cuts impacting seven positions. The second scenario, which does not increase class sizes, suggests $8.6 million in school-based cuts affecting over 107 positions, while maintaining the same non-school-based cuts as the first scenario. Both scenarios would fully fund employee compensation increases but would still result in the loss of over 100 positions and vital programs.

The discussions highlighted the emotional toll these potential cuts could have on staff, with many expressing concerns about job security. The board emphasized the importance of making informed decisions by the upcoming June 4 work session, as these decisions will directly affect the budget adoption scheduled for June 12.

In addition to staffing cuts, the board is also considering reductions in gifted and talented services at the elementary level, which could shift the way these programs are delivered. While some services may be retained, the overall structure and availability of gifted programming could change significantly.

The board is open to exploring modifications to the proposed scenarios, including the possibility of adding in-house athletic trainers while maintaining some contracted services. However, the transportation issue remains complicated due to existing contracts with service providers.

As the board navigates these difficult decisions, the community is urged to stay informed about the budget deliberations and their potential impact on local schools. The outcomes of these discussions will shape the educational landscape in Howard County for years to come.