Cuts inteaching positions and maintenance costs could occur ? as the worst-case scenario ? if the Howard County Council gives the school system $4 million less than anticipated, said Superintendent Sydney Cousin.
“While we recognize the financial situation the county?s in, we also know we had a very conservative budget to begin with,” he said at a recent school board meeting.
Howard County Executive Ken Ulman?s budget proposal for fiscal 2009 would give the school system only $464.8 million.
The school board approved $661.1 million for its proposed fiscal 2009 operating budget, hoping for $468.8 million from the county.
Board Member Diane Mikulis said the cuts could take place if Ulman?s budget is unchanged.
“We are not cutting our budget now,” she said.
Many potential cuts were directed toward proposed new staffing positions.
The school board requested about 190 new positions, but those positions could by trimmed by 27, including 10 middle school technology teachers ? a move that would save $564,400.
Other new positions that could be chopped are five leadership interns who support school administrators, a Web television specialist and communications specialist.
Another large reduction would be about $1.3 million to building, grounds and environmental maintenance, said
Ray Brown, the school system?s chief operating officer.
Each potential cut was prioritized with maintenance being cut before staffing, officials said.
“The priorities were based on consulting with staff and trying to … give the least impact on staff and students,” Cousin said.
The school board also was briefed on Ulman?s proposed fiscal 2009 $80.5 million capital budget, which is less than the
school board?s $113.8 million request.
Among the major projects not in the budget were a $12.1 million maintenance warehouse facility and a $13.8 million old Cedar Lane School project.
