The Calvert County Board of Education took some time at its meeting Thursday to pay tribute to outgoing board members, board president Rose Crunkleton and board vice president William “Bill” Chambers.

Crunkleton ran for re-relection but lost to Kelly McConkey. Chambers decided against seeking a second term. Joe Chenelly was elected replace him.

Both Chambers and Crunkleton were elected to the board in 2008 with Chambers in District 1 and Crunkleton in District 3.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure to serve with both of you,” said Calvert County Public Schools Superintendent Jack Smith, who called it an “awkward” situation when Crunkleton and Chambers had to vote to pass a resolution in their own honor.

Both Chambers and Crunkleton received framed copies of the resolution and a gift from the school system.

“I’ve learned so much in the last four years,” Crunkleton said. “... It’s sad to leave, but I know I’m leaving you in good hands and it’ll be interesting to see what comes down the pike.”

“What’s really been exciting is playing a small part in making the school system the powerhouse it is,” said Chambers, who recognized Smith, who he said has become a good friend.

“We are blessed to have Dr. Smith in this county,” Chambers said.

Fiscal 2014 budget discussed

The fiscal 2014 budget for CCPS was also a hot topic at Thursday’s board meeting, in which a Huntingtown High School teacher, Bill McGowan, spoke of the urgency of teachers receiving a raise for the upcoming school year.

“I would like to stay in Calvert. I would like to remain and teach, but I am already working another job and picking up odds-and-ends tutoring work to complement our too-low salaries, as are many of my peers,” McGowan said. “... All I ask is that you collaborate with whoever it is that needs to be collaborated with and find out if the money is there. I suspect it truly is.”

Smith said he is expecting a 1.4 percent funding increase in the fiscal 2014 budget, for which the board’s negotiating team has been proposing a 0.25 percent raise for teachers.

Chief Budget and Business Officer Tammy McCourt said the school system also needed to consider the declining student enrollment, which meant dwindling state funding.

McCourt said the system lost 254 students from 2011 to 2012.

She said other factors to consider were diesel costs, which are projected to stay the same, and health care, which still needs to be negotiated.

On Jan. 24, 2013, Smith will be presenting the school system’s budget to the community and then turning it over to the board of education. He is currently projecting the budget to be about $195,350,243.

ldukes@somdnews.com