State aid combined with decisive cuts in school spending in Anne Arundel could alleviate the burden for the county to fund the school system?s requests.
The school board on Wednesday approved Superintendent Kevin Maxwell?s proposed fiscal 2009 $968.9 million operating budget without any changes.
The school system is seeking $11 million less from the county because the state will cover that amount, said Susan Bowen, director of budget and finance for the school system.
The superintendent has taken several steps to reduce spending, such as cutting school supply accounts by 60 percent to save about $500,000 by the end of this fiscal year, said school system spokesman Bob Mosier.
Previously, Maxwell said he was reducing substitutes, cutting staff professional development activities and eliminating 50 nonteaching positions to save money.
The school system hopes to save about $3.7 million from the recent cuts, Maxwell said.
The approved operating budget ? a $99.9 million increase over last year?s approved budget ? consists of significant expenses.
“Although it?s an increase of $99.9 million, which is nothing to sneeze at, if you look at all the elements making it up, it?s limited,” Bowen said.
The largest chunk of the operating budget increase is $71.9 million to fund negotiated employee and teacher salary and
benefit agreements.
$13.4 million is targeted for program enhancements such as positions and equipment to implement the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics magnet program at North County High School and the Homeland Security signature program at Meade High School.
The operating budget and the $189.3 million capital budget will be forwarded to County Executive John R. Leopold. The County Council?s deadline to approve the budget is June.
