If you live in Columbia, Ellicott City, or any of the quiet corners of Western Howard County, you know the vibe. It’s a place that prides itself on "greatness." But lately, if you’ve been following howard county maryland news, that word—greatness—has become a bit of a lightning rod.
Honestly, things are feeling a little tense right now.
Between a massive billion-dollar school budget proposal and the reality of brand-new school boundaries kicking in this year, parents are drinking a lot of coffee and spending way too much time on community Facebook groups.
The $1.27 Billion Question
Superintendent William J. Barnes didn't hold back this January. He stood up on January 8, 2026, and laid out a $1.278 billion operating budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. That is a 5.1% jump from last year.
It’s a lot of money. $61.9 million more, to be exact.
Barnes basically said the school system isn't "great" for every student yet, and sometimes it isn't even "good." That’s a pretty bold thing for a superintendent to admit. He’s pushing for a "deliberate shift" away from just managing the budget and toward using it as a tool for actual change.
Where is that cash going?
- $52.1 million is just for employee pay and benefits.
- $11.4 million is earmarked for Special Education.
- $5.5 million for bus contracts (anyone remember the bus fiascos of years past?).
- $2.4 million for the state-mandated Blueprint full-day Pre-K.
Critics are already asking how the county is going to fund this without a fight. The Council and the Board of Education have historically had some... let's call them "spirited" debates over the difference between what the schools want and what the taxpayers are willing to stomach.
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Redistricting Reality Hits Home
While the budget is about the future, the redistricting is about right now. In December 2025, the Board of Education finalized the new school boundaries. These changes take effect in August 2026.
If you’re in the attendance zones for Bryant Woods, Running Brook, or Centennial Lane, you’ve likely been tracking this for months. The goal was to fix the schools that were way over or way under capacity—basically trying to hit that 90-110% sweet spot.
It’s not just elementary schools either. Feeder patterns for Wilde Lake High and Centennial High are shifting too. For a lot of families, this means new bus routes, new morning routines, and a lot of "why is my neighbor’s kid going to a different school than mine?"
HCPSS is trying to be helpful. They’ve promised transition support throughout this spring, but let’s be real: moving schools is hard on kids.
Downtown Columbia is Getting a Massive Face-Lift
If you’ve driven past the Lakefront lately, you’ve seen the construction. It’s part of the huge Downtown Columbia Plan.
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball has been pushing hard for a new Central Branch of the Howard County Library System. This isn't just a place to borrow books; it’s a $10 million project designed to be a "world-class" landmark.
There was a bit of a legislative hiccup recently. The County Council had to pass Council Bill 69-2025 to remove a restriction on $5 million in state grant money because a land purchase deadline was missed. They fixed it, but it shows how complicated these big projects get.
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The Housing Squeeze
Here is the part most people get wrong about Howard County development: it’s not just about luxury condos.
The county has a massive shortage of affordable housing. They need 900 units by 2046, and as of late 2025, they had only delivered 71. That’s a huge gap.
To fix this, a new deal involves a land swap. The Howard County Housing Commission is getting a parcel in the Merriweather District to build about 120 units, half of which will be affordable. Once the new library is done, the old library site will be torn down to build another 200 mixed-income units.
Basically, the county is trying to build its way out of an affordability crisis while also trying to keep that "suburban-cool" aesthetic. It's a tough needle to thread.
Safety and the Headlines Nobody Wants
It hasn't all been budget meetings and ribbon cuttings. This January started with some heavy news.
Just today, January 17, 2026, the Maryland Attorney General’s Independent Investigations Division (IID) took over an investigation into a fatal crash in Columbia. Around 1:50 a.m., an officer in an unmarked car tried to stop a 2010 Honda Accord on Route 32.
The car fled, crashed onto the ramp for Broken Land Parkway, and caught fire. The juvenile driver died at the scene.
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Earlier this month, on January 4, another double-fatal crash on I-95 near Route 216 shook the community. A driver was going the wrong way on the interstate. It’s the kind of howard county maryland news that makes everyone hug their families a little tighter at night.
What’s Actually Changing in the Law?
The 2026 legislative session is just getting started, and there are some "quality of life" bills on the table that might affect your daily routine:
- Lowering the Voting Age: There is a proposal (Ho. Co. 5-26) to let 16 and 17-year-olds vote in Board of Education elections.
- Speed Limits: Ho. Co. 8-26 would give the county more power to decrease speed limits on local highways, but with a catch—they can’t just slap a speed camera on those new lower-limit zones immediately.
- Illegal Dumping: A pilot program (Ho. Co. 6-26) wants to use surveillance systems to catch people dumping trash where they shouldn't.
- Alcohol in Gift Baskets: Ever wanted to buy a local gift basket that actually has Maryland wine or beer in it? Bill Ho. Co. 2-26 is trying to make that legal for small businesses.
How to Stay Ahead of the Curve
If you’re a resident, the next few months are "input season."
The Board of Education will be holding public hearings on that $1.27 billion budget throughout February and March. If you think the schools need more—or if you think your property taxes are already high enough—that is the time to speak up.
For those affected by redistricting, keep an eye on the HCPSS "Boundary Review" portal. The final "activities to support transitioning students" will be rolling out this spring.
Actionable Next Steps for Residents:
- Check the Maps: Use the HCPSS School Locator tool to confirm exactly where your child is zoned for the 2026-2027 school year.
- Attend a Budget Hearing: The Board of Education holds public testimony sessions. You can sign up online to speak for three minutes.
- Track Bill Ho. Co. 5-26: If you have a teenager, this could be their first chance to participate in local democracy.
- Explore the Lakefront: Go see the site of the new library. It’s going to change the face of Downtown Columbia for the next fifty years.
The news in Howard County moves fast, but it usually comes down to three things: where the kids go to school, how much the government is spending, and where the next crane is going up. Staying informed is the only way to make sure "greatness" actually includes you.