Howard County Public Schools could be getting millions more for its budget, if an.

Howard County Executive Calvin Ball submitted emergency legislation Monday to add $14.5 million to Howard County Public School System funding in the county operating budget.

A parent and a county councilmember told WJZ Tuesday while the funding is sorely needed, it's not enough to fill the gap in the school district's budget.

Pulling from the reserves

The extra funds are coming from the county's Policy Reserve, which is surplus funds.

Howard County Council formally introduced Ball's emergency bill Monday night, adding it to the council's agenda.

In a news release, Ball said the move is to "ensure that we continue to deliver the best teaching and learning environment for our students and educators."

Filling the rest of the gap

Cat Carter, a mother of five and the vice president of advocacy for the PTA Council of Howard County, said she supports Ball's bill.

However, she also said it shows the county can figure out other ways to fund HCPSS's budget shortfall.

"I think it's basically saying there has been money, it's been allocated to other things besides education, and as a community we don't want that," Carter said.

HCPSS got $800 million in the county's proposed FY26 operating budget. School district leaders have said $29.2 million more is needed to pay for existing services and employee compensation and benefits.

"I am grateful for this positive development and will continue to work with the Board of Education to close the remaining gap," HCPSS superintendent Bill Barnes said in a statement.

In a letter to the Board of Education, Ball recommended the school district to evaluate its own funds to come up with the rest of the funding. 

Deb Jung, Howard County councilwoman for District 4, said she plans to vote to approve Ball's emergency bill.

She's just hopeful the school district's budget gap can be filled.

"Somehow we need to make sure that the [rest of the funding] is recognized by either the county executive, the council, or the school district," Jung said.

Here's a timeline of important dates for the rest of this budget season:

• May 15: The last day amendments for the county budget can be filed.
• May 19: Ball's emergency bill will be up for public comment during the scheduled legislative public hearing at 7 p.m.
• May 21: The county budget is slated to be adopted at noon.