In yet another example of St. Mary’s County successful partnerships, top school officials and the Sheriff’s Office collaborated to establish the Adopt-A-School Program. Superintendent Dr. Michael J. Martirano and Sheriff Timothy K Cameron shared the news with the St. Mary’s Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, August 24.

Cameron explained the program was “born of my worry about a lack of visibility in our elementary schools.” Deputies will volunteer their time at SMCPS elementary schools, much like the resource officers at the middle and high schools. The focus is safety and security and the goal is increasing police visibility, assisting in any incidents and, as Cameron explained Tuesday, “building positive relationships within the schools.”
Martirano thanked the sheriff for his “constant vigilance,” and commented on the great working relationship between the schools and police. “We must do everything we can to ensure our 17,000-plus students are safe,” Martirano said, adding he thinks the initiative will “intervene and prevent many incidents at the schools.
The participating police officers will receive specialized training and offer mentoring to the County’s youngsters. Cameron said he was overwhelmed by the response of deputies volunteering, adding, “I’m immensely proud of my officers.” To see a list of schools and their corresponding officer, click here.
Martirano also presented the FY2011 Board of Education approved Operating and Capital Budget, discussing the commissioners’ concerns and some of his own. “Enrollment is surging,” he said, calling St. Mary’s, “a very attractive place to live, work and get an education.” He said the need for a second new elementary school is “palpable.”
While SMCPS did have to make approximately $2 million in cuts for 2011, Martirano said they’ve yet to use, “Draconian measures that other jurisdictions are using.” No furloughs, lost jobs and lost teachers.
Commissioner President Jack Russell commented, “We’re more fortunate than most,” and inquired about St. Mary’s piece of the recently announced Race to The Top Grant awarded to the State.
County administrator said that with the tight budget, “We’re using stimulus money wisely. We’ll continue to look very carefully at every cost in the school budget.” Both he and Martirano referred to the “many moving pieces” involved in maintaining the budget while meeting students’ needs.
One major concern: teacher retirement. Martirano said concern ab

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