Assistant Superintendent of Fiscal Services and Human Resources Tammy McCourt.
Leonardtown, MD – The St. Mary’s County Board of Education approved May 13 a $202.4 million “fully-funded” budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
Superintendent of Schools Scott Smith said, “We are fully funded per the request made earlier this year. We feel very comfortable and confident.”
This year’s budget was quite a contrast from last year when a more than $6 million shortfall funding in health care costs caused drastic budget cutting measures and the elimination of promised pay raises for employees. This year there is enough money available to give two step increases.
This year the county ponied up $4.8 million more in general fund revenues plus almost $2 million from the county’s fund balance. The latter allowed paying off the school board’s $1.6 million of existing technology leases and funding textbooks and supplies for the new Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary School.
The sole unfunded portion of the superintendent’s recommended budget was the removal by the commissioners of a $2.6 million OPEB (Other Post-Employment Benefits) payment to the trust fund for future benefit liabilities. There was a majority feeling among the commissioners that the OPEB funding had been aggressive in the past compared to other counties and those monies could be used for other government demands.
Also at the last minute the school board received $1.2 million more from the state than had been in the budget that went to public hearing.
“We have met all of our budget priorities with funding from the county and state,” said Assistant Superintendent of Fiscal Services and Human Resources Tammy McCourt. She reminded everyone attending the regular school board meeting that those priorities were: “Captain Walter Francis Duke Elementary School, healthcare costs and negotiations” (with the three employee unions).
The budget includes 40 new positions of which most are in the classrooms (especially for the new school). Board Vice President Rita Weaver expressed pleasures that the monies were allocated for “down on the ground”–in the classrooms.
Several of the board members underscored the cooperation between the commissioners and the school board during this budget cycle. Board member Mary Washington was one of those handing out praise. “It is a good budget because it meets all of our priorities,” she added.
Board President Karin Bailey agreed. “I think it has been an excellent partnership during this whole budget process,” she said.
The school board will present their budget May 26 to the county commissioners for approval. That is expected to be relatively pro forma this year since the commissioners, in approving their budget that includes their portion of education funding, have indicated satisfaction with the school board’s overall budget.
Contact Dick Myers at dick.myers@thebaynet.com