FCPS's Propose $548.4 Million Budget

FREDERICK COUNTY, MD - Parents, students and school officials met to discuss the budget and what problems districts could face if they don't get the funding they're looking for.

 "We cut so often the maintenance of effort, that the cuts we'd have to make now are very painful," says Dr. Theresa Alban, Superintendent of Schools. 
The 2014 budget proposal is calling for an additional 15 million dollars from the county.

"Maintenance of effort is the minimum funding Ievel by our local government. And that's based on the number of the students we have, and there cost per student, per education," says Leslie Pellegrino, the school's Executive Director of Fiscal Services. 

Schools officials say while enrollment is lower this year than they expected, the increase in funding is still necessary.

 "There are a lot of inflationary increases, there are new program demands, there are things that go above and beyond trying to maintain that same level of funding per student," says Dr. Alban.

The nearly half a billion dollar proposal would cover costs for nearly 40,000 students, in the district's 65 schools. Alban says students and teachers deserve the extra funding to help with district needs.  

"More competitive salaries, technology upgrades, safety and security," says Dr. Alban. 

If the proposal is rejected by the county, districts could have to cut staffing, which is sparking big concerns.

"This could mean even larger classes," says Dr. Alban. 

March 1st is the deadline for the board to propose the budget to county commissioners. The county funds nearly half of the school's budget. The 2014 budget calls for $548.4 million.

County Commissioners will come up with their own proposal, and a public hearing will be held on that in May.