Latest news with #LizWalsh
CBS News
21-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Howard County's school district will face a budget shortfall despite last-ditch efforts
The Howard County Public School System is still facing a budget shortfall after the county's fiscal year 2026 budget was approved on Wednesday. The county council voted to approve more than $2.7 billion in operating and capital funds after tense debates, primarily about funding for public schools. The school district received more than what was originally proposed, however, it's still not enough to fill the school district's gap to balance its budget. Overall, the county's FY26 operating budget is $2.35 billion, while the capital budget is $365 million. The final totals Before approving the budget, some county councilmembers tried some last-ditch efforts to increase HCPSS's allocation in the county operating budget. Initially, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball allotted around $800 million to the school district. Ball then filed emergency legislation to increase the share by $14.5 million from surplus funds. It came after hours of public testimony asking for the county to increase school district funding, and after HCPSS said it needed a minimum of $29.2 million more to pay for existing services and employee compensation, and benefits. Overall, HCPSS is slated to get $816 million in the budget, which means the school district is anticipated to make at least $13 million in cuts for the next school year. Howard County Councilwoman Deb Jung tried to increase HCPSS's share by more than a million, but the amendment failed to pass. Council chair Liz Walsh also said she tried to find $8 million to give to public schools. "I worked very hard to make sure that every cut I did make to our county budget was surgical; it would not hurt any of the departments," Jung said. Council vice chair Opel Jones and councilwoman Christiana Rigby consistently voted down attempts to increase public school funding. Jones noted that if the school district got more money, there would have to be cuts made elsewhere. "Any red cent that we come up with, we're pulling from somewhere else," Jones said. Rigby said she recognizes the need to increase public schools' funding, but adds there have been other factors, like federal funding uncertainty and the state deficit, to consider this cycle. "It's been very challenging because the local conversation is not taking into account what is happening outside of it," Rigby said. Overall, even though the approved HCPSS funding is higher than what the county's legally obligated to give, Walsh still isn't pleased. "I feel like this budget, as proposed and passed today by the majority of my colleagues, is a grave disservice to the Howard County Public School System," Walsh said in her closing remarks.
The Irish Sun
21-04-2025
- Climate
- The Irish Sun
Weather bosses pinpoint exact day temps to soar to 17C as Met Eireann's ‘mixed bag' forecast brings ‘heavy downpours'
WEATHER bosses have confirmed that temperatures are set to soar this week as Ireland will once again be basking in above 15C heat. Advertisement 2 Rain is here to stay this week 2 Temperatures will reach highs of 17C However, while temperatures are seeing a major improvement, it might be too early still to put the Cloudy, damp and wet conditions are still set to linger this week, with some breaks of sunny spells and dry Met Eireann's Liz Walsh said that Liz said: "Well low pressure is going to stick around through the coming week bringing a fairly mixed bag of weather conditions. Advertisement READ MORE IN NEWS "There'll be rain and showers at times but some drier and sunnier interludes too." TODAY'S WEATHER As for this morning, it's a cloudy and damp start for However, the country will be met with some heavy showers later on. She said: "Cloudy and damp in eastern and northern parts to start this Easter Monday morning with the last of the overnight rain clearing north-eastwards. Advertisement Most read in Irish News "A mix of sunny spells and scattered showers elsewhere spreading nationwide this afternoon with a few heavy showers possible and the chance of an isolated thunderstorm. "Highest temperatures 11C to 14C with mostly moderate, occasionally fresh, westerly winds." Overnight, showers will die down as rain moves to the Atlantic, bringing some colder temperatures in its place. She said: "Showers will become isolated tonight then with clear breaks developing. Advertisement "Later in the night cloud and rain will begin to move into Atlantic counties. "It'll be chilly with lowest temperatures of 1C to 6C in just light southerly breezes." REST OF THE WEEK Tomorrow will see sunshine finally return, with some Liz added: "There'll be some hazy sunshine around to begin in the east tomorrow, Tuesday, however cloud along with outbreaks of rain will extend to most places by the early afternoon with some heavy downpours possible. Advertisement "It'll be breezy in parts too with moderate to fresh southwest winds veering southwest to west later and increasing strong at times near coasts. Highest temperatures 10C to 14C." Wednesday is looking to see an improvement as Liz said: "Wednesday is going to be a brighter day overall with sunny spells but scattered showers too. "Highest temperatures 13C to 16C in moderate north or northeasterly breezes, decreasing mainly light in the evening." Advertisement Thursday is the big day as temperatures see a jump to 17C in parts of the country, despite conditions looking a little cloudier. She continued: "Thursday is looking mainly dry with sunny spells and just well scattered showers once early mist and fog clears. "It'll be cloudier in the southwest and west though with patchy rain and drizzle there. Highs on Thursday 12C to 17C, mildest further west in a moderate east to southeast wind." It is slightly too early to accurately say for Friday, however, it is currently looking to be a rainy and damp day. Advertisement She said: "Latest indications for Friday signal outbreaks of rain and drizzle slowly edging northeastwards over the country with a clearance extending from the southwest during the afternoon and evening. "Highs of 11C to 15C in moderate southeasterly winds becoming lighter southwest as the rain clears."
