Anne Arundel County Executive Janet Owens challenged School Board members Monday to support a proposed math, science and language magnet school at Meade High School.
“I?m sorry, Mr. Chairman, but it?s the right thing to do,” Owens told Anne Arundel County School Board President Konrad Wayson, who attended the administration?s budget presentation. Wayson was joined by Interim Superintendent Nancy Mann and Tricia Johnson, board vice president.
Owens? budget includes $200,000 to “jump-start the academic program.” It also pays for the extension of the International Baccalaureate program into the senior year at the district?s high schools and the creation of an IB program at Meade High School.
“I don?t think the board is fully cognizant of the support in that community for that magnet school,” Owens said.
The county executive said alternative academic programs are needed in the western part of Anne Arundel County, where a high-tech, highly educated work force has exploded in recent years and is expected to increase with the pending base realignment around Fort Meade.
But the School Board has not embraced the idea of a magnet school so readily.
Board Member Eugene Peterson, whose district includes Fort Meade, said the board would take the money for a magnet school if it?s offered, but said some major philosophical issues remain to be worked out, including board policy on magnets.
“I don?t think we?re going to thumb our noses at the County Council and the executive,” he said.
2007 Anne Arundel County Budget
» Total Operating Budget: $1.164 billion
» Total Capital Budget: $202.9 million
» Rainy Day fund fully funded at $42.7 million
» $94 million surplus
» 91.8-cent property tax rate
» $1 million for Anne Arundel Medical Center expansion
» Additional 24-hour police patrols for Davidsonville, Mayo and Edgewater
» New boat ramp at the Weinberg property in Pasadena
