Proper compensation is mandatory for keeping quality teachers and other employees in Anne Arundel?s public schools, Superintendent Kevin Maxwell said.
“Our school system and this county have a moral and ethical obligation to keep their word with bargaining units that have negotiated in good faith,” he said in a statement.
Maxwell presented his proposed fiscal 2009 operating budget ? $99.94 million higher than last year?s budget ? to the Board of Education on Wednesday.
And the majority of that increase ? nearly $72 million ? will cover employee-negotiated agreements and benefits, he said.
“The money in the superintendent?s budget would fully fund the agreements,” said Susan Bowen, director of budget and finance.
Tim Mennuti, president of the Teachers Association of Anne Arundel County, said he?s optimistic these funds would be provided based on statements from County Executive John R. Leopold indicating his support.
Otherwise, “everybody would have to be renegotiated, and that would be a disaster for the county,” hesaid. “You?d have a horde of people headed for the doors.”
While Leopold wouldn?t say whether Maxwell?s request was realistic, he said, “It is an ambitious request during a difficult fiscal time.”
This year, the 5,400 school system employees in teaching positions, which include speech pathologists and media specialists, earn an average of $61,500, and an additional 200 guidance counselors earn an average of $79,500, Bowen said.
Teachers, guidance counselors and others in negotiated contracts would be due a 6 percent raise in the next year if funds come through, she said.
Leopold and Maxwell were at odds earlier this year, when the school system?s request was slashed considerably.
County officials are pessimistic about the budget outlook.
Less revenues are expected, county budget officer John Hammond said. And the county?s ability to bring in money is constrained by its tax cap.
Half of the county?s $1 billion budget goes toward education.
Public hearings on the school system?s proposed budget will be held next month before it goes before the County Council for adoption in the spring.
Salary increases help balloon budget
Anne Arundel schools Superintendent Kevin Maxwell?s $968.85 million recommended 2009 fiscal year operating budget includes nearly $100 million more than was approved by the county last year. Here are highlights of the new additions:
» $71,850,151 for employee-negotiated agreements and benefits
» $9,783,697 for contractual obligations and program maintenance
» $880,718 for 15 staff members at Gambrills-area elementary school
» $887,218 for eight more pupil personnel workers and one more student-service position
» $3,123,956 for 44 more special education positions
» $558,664 for 10 more early childhood education positions to expand pre-kindergarten and reduce kindergarten class sizes
» $1,168,828 to implement a Science, Engineering and Math program at North County High School and a homeland security signature program at Meade High School and five teaching positions
» $2 million for the transfer of funding from the capital budget for textbooks
» $505,704 for 12 more school-based secretaries
» $438,048 for 12 more custodians
» $335,088 for four more English to Speakers of Other Languages positions
» $738,264 for 12 more high school test coordinators
Source: Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Staff Writer Jason Flanagan contributed to this report.
