School budget discussion continues at meeting

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Following the 2010 fiscal year budget presentation given March 5, by Calvert County Superintendent of Schools Jack Smith, the Calvert County Board of Education used last Thursday's meeting for some reflection and response to the potential layoff of 90 employees that could occur if union negotiations are unsuccessful.

One of the main points both the board and Smith made was in relation to the formula used by the Calvert County Board of County Commissioners, which determines what portion of county funds will be given to the school system.

"The local formula has treated us very well," said board Vice President William Phalen, who added "I would not want to go back to where we were six, seven, eight years ago where the amount we got was determined by the county commissioners and then we'd argue about it."

Though Phalen did admit the formula "wasn't perfect," he said that "we should build our budget based on what we need for our children, not based on percentages [in contrast to previous years]."

Smith relayed the point that he did write to the commissioners asking for extra funding from the county's "rainy day fund," but was declined.

"First and foremost, we do not have control over the rainy day fund," he said, adding that the county is already giving the school system more than it is legally obligated to fund.

Chief Budget and Business Officer Tammy McCourt, who previously worked for county government, explained that an ongoing budget problem is not the kind of situation for which a rainy day fund is intended.

"It is intended for one-time, non-recurring expenditures," said McCourt, who likened using the rainy day fund for the school budget to paying a mortgage with a savings account. "It's simply not recommended."

Smith also informed the board that he is looking into various grants for additional funding, including one with Maryland Public Television. He did, however, add that Calvert County does not fit the criteria for several grants, which means the county is actually "fortunate" to not be facing more dire situations other jurisdictions may be in.

Board President Eugene Karol said the county should be careful with this possible endeavor as, "If you take grant money you have to be sure that you really need it, and it has to be a sufficient amount of money to make a difference."

Though Smith said that he has yet to receive "final state numbers," which will include dollars earned from the federal stimulus package, he said the package was created by President Barack Obama for three reasons: the promotion of children; the creation of jobs; and to promote appropriated reforms.

"We're still waiting for the Maryland State Department of Education to grind everything into its formula," said Smith, who added that despite this uncertainty he believes that, "[For fiscal year 2010], I'm getting more confident that we're going to have exactly what it looks like we're going to have."

This prediction includes a $189.7 million budget with 45 percent coming from state dollars, 55 percent coming from county appropriations and smaller amounts from local and federal monies.

If dollars remain this way, Smith projected that 35 positions will be lost through attrition, while 80 teaching positions and 10 support staff jobs will need to be cut.

He said he is hoping that salary negotiations between the Calvert County Board of Education, the Calvert Education Association and the Calvert Association of Educational Support Staff will prevent this from happening.

The board members expressed hope as well, particularly as both organizations, according to Smith, "have expressed willingness to renegotiate."

"When somebody loses their job, it puts the burden on somebody else and our teachers are already working very hard," said board member Rose Crunkleton, saying that she thinks school staff members are already in the mindset of looking out for each other.

Board member Bill Chambers agreed, saying that based on what he has heard from Calvert County educators, "They're willing to tighten their belts to make things work."

Smith also used the meeting to address claims that he hired more employees, despite decreasing student enrollment.

"I think it's important [to note] that we've lost half of that enrollment since 2007 … up until that it was pretty stable," said Smith, who also explained that the majority of positions hired have been related to maintaining classroom ratios or promoting safety, and that a greater amount of state money was being "pumped into" education at the time hires were made.

Smith said that Deputy Superintendent Robin Welsh is currently trying to schedule appointments between the board, the Calvert Education Association and the Calvert Association of Educational Support Staff. He also said that comments from the public are already being summarized in a report.

"We don't want to lose the quality of the staff we have; what we have is working really well," said Karol, who closed the meeting saying that fixing the budget problem, "is going to involve a lot of cooperation from a lot of people."

In other news, the board:

- Received a presentation on school facilities by Director of School Facilities, Maintenance and Operations Tuck Powers;

- Recognized Employees of the Month: Debbie Reamy; Leslie Irvin-Thorne; Debbie Unkle; Leitha Stone; Tara Brauns; Caryn Fossile; Ella Mae Johnson; Donna Mignardi; Kathleen Andes; Lynn Beahm; Lori Beavers; Beverly Buehler; and Joanna Stallings;

- Approved previously presented tuition rates;

- Received a legislative update by Calvert County public school's spokeswoman Gail Bennett.

lbuck@somdnews.com