Howard County school officials plan to fight a possible funding cut even as the county executive seeks a tax cut for residents next year.
“We spent a lot of time going line by line, and it doesn?t have any extras. It?s a very austere budget,” said School Board vice chairperson Diane Mikulis.
The school board requested about $396 million from the county, but County Executive James Robey is recommending $3 million less in his proposed operating budget for fiscal 2007.
“Some reprioritization decisions may be needed on [the school board?s] part, but I think the money is there to address the vast majority of our school system?s demands,” Robey said.
He recommended giving the board $30.9 million more ? an 8.5 percent increase ? over last year?s funding and said the county is also facing increased costs.
But if Robey?s proposed tax cut is approved, the county would forfeit $9.4 million.
The Howard County Council has the authority to restore education cuts in the budget.
School board members have said the money is needed to pay for expenses related to mandates and enrollment growth, including hiring:
» Nineteen teachers and eight assistants at 10 elementary schools as part of the state-required all-day kindergarten;
» Staff for the upcoming junior class at Marriotts Ridge High School;
» Staff for a new elementary school.
School Board Chairman Joshua Kaufman said he?s confident the system?s budget will be fully funded.
“It?s not a huge gap to fill, and it?s an election year,” he said. “We hope to preserve cuts that would affect the classroom.”
If you go
» To prepare for the possible reduction in funds, Howard County School Superintendent Sydney Cousin will present recommendations about cuts during a 4 p.m. school board meeting April 27 at the Department of Education, 10910 Route 108, Ellicott City.
» Howard County Council will hold a public hearing on the school board?s budget at 9 a.m. May 6 in the Banneker Room in the George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City.
