School employees slammed Carroll commissioners and demanded bigger salary increases.
“We?re going to hit the studentachievement wall if we don?t get the resources,” said Barry Potts, head of the teachers union. “You have a rainy day fund. Tap into that rainy day fund; I see a storm coming. We?ve done our part. Now it?s your turn.”
The Board of Education would need to cut more than $5 million from its proposed budget to get it down to the $324.3 million that commissioners are allocating to schools.
Commissioners have $5.6 million that has not been allotted, but Budget Director Ted Zaleski said the money would be used for a onetime project and that commissioners have done all they can to fund education.
Teachers last week negotiated a 1 percent raise with the county, keeping their salaries among the lowest in the state.
When school employees stood to complain to commissioners, about 100 co-workers rose to their feet in support.
“Education is not an expense but an investment,” said Lynn Hobicht, a Westminster resident and Liberty High School teacher. “You can do better; therefore, you must do better.”
Debbie Frazier, a Westminster resident and special education clerical assistant at Westminster Elementary School, said she has not received a raise in three years.
Under Superintendent Charles Ecker?s plan, she would have also become a contractual employee instead of remaining hourly.
“Each year, I take on more responsibility and yet I am still paid hourly,” she said. “I am made to feel insignificant.”
Ecker also came out to ask commissioners to fund the school system?s entire budget.
He called on them to add money for technology and to not cut $600,000 from special education, an area where teachers are in demand and pay is low.
In addition, multiple Mount Airy residents pushed for the county to reverse its decision to push back one year the roof replacement at Mount Airy Elementary School.
Commissioners are holding budget work session today and Friday and are to adopt a budget May 27.
