Security officers and more cameras add 17 percent to Anne Arundel?s proposed school budget, among other items proposed Wednesday.
Anne Arundel County Superintendent Kevin Maxwell proposed spending $920 million during the next school year, about 17 percent, or $131 million, more than the current school year?s $790 million budget.
During the School Board meeting, Maxwell said he wanted to increase security, technology and specialized learning programs in county schools.
“To begin to make the leap we all desire and our children deserve means our county must revise its stance on education funding,” Maxwell said.
The proposal gave one board member pause.
“I am concerned about the emphasis on additional resources,” said Board Member Victor Bernson Jr. “There are plenty of ways to achieve meaningful improvements to the school system without throwing money on it.”
Security additions worth $2.6 million include adding officers, called “student advocates” in middle schools, and installing additional cameras in schools across the county.
Technology improvements include spending $3.5 million to send 17 more technological support positions to the middle schools, and increasing the number of laptops.
The budget also adds to the county?s learning programs, including $4.9 million for all-day kindergarten in the 17 elementary schools that do not have it, to comply with state mandates.
He also moved to expand the Advancement Via Individual Determination accelerated learning program to fifth grade. Currently, it is only offered in grades six through 12.
If you go:
The Anne Arundel County School System is holding two public hearings about the proposed budget.
One meeting will be at 7 p.m. Jan. 9 at Old Mill High School. Another meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Jan. 11 in the Parham building on Riva Road.
