Eliminating the recently proposed guidance counselor and pupil personnel worker positions and cutting maintenance of older schools are among suggested cuts made by Howard County School Superintendent Sydney Cousin to close a $3.6 million funding gap in the system?s proposed operating budget for fiscal year 2007.
But school officials say they are counting on a huge turnout at a public hearing May 6 to persuade the county council to fully fund the school system?s $554.9 million spending plan.
“We tried to protect the classroom as much as possible,” Cousin said during the board?s April 27 meeting.
According to its latest budget update, the school system is expected to receive $200,000 less in state funding, and $400,000, which was initially budgeted as a grant for cable TV operations, was moved by County Executive James Robey into the general fund, creating a $600,000 increase in a funding gap originally reported at $3 million.
School Board member Patricia Gordon said she was “saddened” by the possible cuts.
“We just commended the pupil personnel workers with a proclamation,” she said.
Lin Bartle, facilitator for the school system?s 18 pupil personnel workers said if the cut is made, it will mean more work for the current workers.
“Of course, we?re concerned,” she said.
Lisa Boarman, facilitator for school counseling, said if two new guidance positions aren?t filled, counselors at Atholton and Howard high schools would be affected.
“It means they would be spending less time with students,” she said.
Diane Mikulis, board vice chairman, said she was concerned about maintenance at older schools being cut.
“It does catch up with us eventually,” she said.
Courtney Watson, another board member, said she was “disappointed” with the possibility of having to make the cuts, but added Cousin?s proposal is “a lot less painful” than previous budget years.
Board Chairman Joshua Kaufman said it?s important that the community attend the public hearing because the operating budget?s funding gap could swell to $5 million due to higher gasoline costs.
For more information
The Howard County Council will hold a public hearing on the school board?s operating budget at 9 a.m. May 6 in the Banneker Room in the George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City.
