Carroll County could hire more teachers to boost state scores and fulfill the full-day kindergarten mandate if the proposed budget, which is $12 million more than last year, is approved.
“It was pretty much as expected,” said School Board Member Patricia Gadberry of Superintendent Charles Ecker?s fiscal year 2008 operatingbudget, which was presented to the School Board Wednesday.
“I think it?s a good budget. … We are trying to be as conservative as we can and still serve the children.”
The budget does not include the increases in teachers? salaries, because the school system is still in union contract negotiations.
The increase is expected to cost $1.8 million per 1 percent.
“We are optimistic we will conclude [negotiations] by the beginning of February,” said Stephen Guthrie, assistant superintendent of administration.
The budget funds more than 40 new positions for the final phase-in of full-day kindergarten.
It also adds about 33 intervention teachers for students who need help passing the Maryland School Assessments and the High School Assessment.
The Maryland School Assessment determines a school?s yearly progress, and passing the High School Assessments is required for graduation.
In elementary school, the intervention teachers will help children with “demonstrated need” prepare for the MSAs during class time, Guthrie said.
In high school, they will tutor students who have passed required coursework but failed the HSAs. Students will earn high school credit for taking the class.
Public hearings on the proposed budget are set for 7 p.m. Jan. 31 at Parr?s Ridge Elementary School and 7 p.m. Feb. 21 at Winters Mill High School.
