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Posted on As part of the budget package passed by the General Assembly in November, state aid to local school systems will be scaled back by $152 million from what was expected under the Thornton plan, which mandates school-aid levels. Funding for St. Mary's has been cut by $4,185,400. Restrictions on expenditures for the current fiscal year fall into two categories: short term and long term. Short term restrictions include: -- Close all schools/administrative offices from close of business Dec. 21, 2007, through Jan. 1, 2008. -- Impose a hiring freeze effective Jan. 1, 2008. Critical vacancies will be filled. -- Curtail/eliminate discretionary spending for the remainder of the fiscal year. Long term restrictions include: -- Maintain fidelity to the negotiated agreements as a priority. -- Curtail/eliminate conference travel (some required as part of a grant). -- Review all aspects of budget to identify areas of consolidation and savings. -- Utilization of further energy conservation strategies. According to Martirano, these expenditure restrictions are necessary to protect every classroom, allowing St. Mary's County Public Schools to maintain a high quality of instruction for all students. RELATED INFORMATION: Teachers, Schools, Counties Worry Over Cuts in State School Aid, Nov. 26, 2007 http://somd.com/news/headlines/2007/6786.shtml |