Members of the Calvert Board of Education listen to public comments at Jan. 22 budget hearing.
Prince Frederick, MD – Calvert County Public Schools’ (CCPS) new leader has presented a budget for the next fiscal year (FY) that can only be balanced if some bold decisions are made. A public hearing on Dr. Daniel Curry’s proposed FY 2016 budget was held Thursday evening, Jan. 22 at Calvert High School with a large crowd in attendance.
At the outset of the hearing, Curry scotched rumors that his administration was planning to close Calvert Country School, the system’s public education center.
The superintendent called the crafting of the proposed budget “a multi-month process.” The goals of the CCPS FY 2016 budget include the preparation of a plan where “budgeted expenditures equal anticipated revenues. School system officials have acknowledged their obligation to support student performance and affirmed their intention to provide salary increases for employees in the upcoming fiscal year. Curry stated the STEP increase for employees would cost approximately $2.7 million while a 1 percent cost of living adjustment comes at a price of approximately $1.2 million.
In order to achieve the goals, Curry affirmed that CCPS “must cut more than $6 million in expenditures from our FY 2016 operating budget.” The budget, as proposed by Curry and presented to the Calvert County Board of Education (BOE), totals $199.05 million.
Enrollment at Calvert’s public schools has been steadily declining, a statistic that impacts the funding allocated to the system by the State of Maryland. Over the past decade CCPS enrollment has dropped by almost 2,000 pupils. Curry noted the Calvert County Commissioners traditionally provide their portion of the school system’s operating funds at a number well above the state-mandated maintenance of effort.
“I don’t see anybody giving us any more money,” said Curry.
The superintendent also cited the system’s almost routine annual use of fund balance and the dramatically rising health benefits cost as further justification for making bold budget decisions.
While some savings will be realized through attrition—over 40 employees, including over 20 teachers are opting for retirement and 24 temporary positions are currently on the books—Curry indicated the implementation of a “staffing formula in the middle and high schools” appears to be the way to make more significant budget cuts. The formula, said Curry “will result in a reduction of 23.5 regular education teaching positions.” Additionally, in the next school year “vice principal, dean and guidance counselor assignments will be determined by school enrollment and teacher staffing.”
Ten people spoke following Curry’s presentation. Several speakers asked school officials to spare CCPS’ Special Education from the budget tax. The most dramatic testimony was rendered by a student with autism, Tory Ridgeway, who stated he has a “very tight friendship with a teacher and I don’t want to see her go.”
Two employee union representatives addressed the hearing. Representing the Calvert Association of Supervisors and Administrators (CASA), Northern Middle School Principal Darrell Prioleau declared it was important to keep the current number of administrators—86—intact. “We don’t see our workload diminishing any time soon,” said Prioleau.
Calvert Education Association (CEA) President Debbie Russ stated the looming critical decisions “have been a long time coming and involve actions to ‘right size’ the system based upon a dramatic drop in student population since 2009. In order to move forward and maintain our high standards of student achievement and a quality teacher workforce, it is time to ‘right-size’ CCPS.”
Russ stated that CEA officials are “committed to working with those teachers affected by a ‘RIF’ in providing assistance and guidance to continue their careers in other school systems. We know these tough decisions will not please everyone, but CCPS will come out stronger.”
Reflecting on her first year on the school board, BOE President Tracy McGuire stated a bad economy had a severe impact on Calvert’s system. She and other BOE members have long anticipated a turnaround, but during the public hearing McGuire lamented that the prevailing fiscal climate “may be our new normal.”
Board member Bill Phalen reminded the audience that what was presented at the hearing was “a budget in progress.” He stated his top concern was “how do we affect students.” Phalen said he was also concerned about “where the lost jobs are going to be.”
All of the BOE members asked for additional public input. Further comments may be made via the CCPS web site. The address is www.calvertnet.k12.md.us
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com