Half of the proposed personnel cuts in the Howard County school system have been saved.
The School Board planned to cut the positions in its proposed 2007 operating budget but restored them Thursday after Democratic County Council memberssaid they would support an additional $220,000 to help close a $3.6 million funding gap in the spending plan.
The board also agreed to spend about $25,000 less toward filling new positions within the school system in order to pay for the personnel positions.
The restored jobs are:
» Two new guidance counselors
» A half-time psychologist
» Two new custodians.
“It?s good news, and it?s going to bring those counselor-student ratios down,” said Todd Kriner, instructional team leader for the guidance department at Atholton High School. “Without a fifth counselor, our caseload would have increased,” said Al Silberman, a counselor at Howard High School.
Schools Superintendent Sydney Cousin had proposed reductions of 8 1/2 personnel workers, maintenance for older schools and other cuts.
But after more than 100 people showed up for a public hearing, Democratic council members agreed to give the board $3 million toward renovations at two older schools and money for some personnel positions. The County Council must approve the School Board?s proposed operating and capital budgets as part of operating and capital budgets proposed by County Executive James Robey.
What?s next?
The School Board will vote at its 4 p.m. Thursday meeting at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108, Ellicott City.
