PUBLIC HEARING ON THE
FISCAL YEAR 1999 OPERATING BUDGET
Presented by
Nancy J. King, President
April 6, 1998
Good evening, Mr. Leggett and members of the County Council. I am Nancy King, President of the Montgomery County Board of Education. I am here this evening to request that the Council fully fund the Board's Operating Budget Request for Fiscal Year 1999. This budget reflects a strong community belief that planned, targeted, and accountable investment in education is critical for the future of our community. Its centerpiece is an innovative class size reduction initiative to improve student achievement by focusing on the gateways to educational excellence. The budget also would provide funding to meet other critical needs of the school system including enrollment growth, opening new schools, and the cost of negotiated agreements with employees. If we fail to meet these other crucial needs, our initiative to reduce class size cannot succeed. I believe that with the help of additional aid from the state, this request is affordable within county resources.
Focus on the Classroom
This budget puts the focus squarely on the classroom. The class size initiative would add 208 classroom teacher positions over three years to reduce class size for reading in Grades I and 2, to 15 students. The goal is to assure that every child can read independently by Grade 3. The initiative also adds classroom teacher positions in secondary schools to address the other key gateway to excellence - in mathematics skills. Our goal is to prepare more students to succeed in Algebra I in Grade 8 and definitely by Grade 9. Schools will be accountable for achieving the targeted results. Accompanying smaller class sizes is a comprehensive approach that stresses additional training for all teachers and principals participating in the reading initiative to be sure that their instructional strategies take full advantage of individualized instruction. In addition this initiative includes support for student assessment to ensure that everyone is accountable for results.
Investing in the Future
It is important that, while implementing this exciting new initiative, we do not ignore other key improvements that complement lower class size. For example, we need additional alternative programs for students who have not been successful in regular schools due to problems such as delinquency or classroom disruption or who have seriously violated MCPS policy. We must continue to provide resources to meet the needs of gifted and talented students and special education students. In the past, the Council has generously supported the Global Access Technology program and has provided funds to modernize computer systems to resolve the Year 2000 computer problem. This budget includes new funds to continue this vital work. On all these multiyear initiatives, let's not stop in the middle of the job.
Factors Increasing, Operating Costs
We are heartened by the overwhelming support of the community for the Board's initiatives. However, we must not lose sight of other critical needs addressed by the budget. The most significant factor driving our budget remains the growth in enrollment, expected to be 2,360 students next year. This makes Montgomery County one of the fastest growing large school districts in the nation. Additionally, the number of special education students who require high intensity services will rise by 6.6 percent and add a cost of $5 million to the budget. While facilities needs are addressed in the capital budget, the operating budget includes almost $20 million in added funds to provide resources for these new students, including $6.6 million for the start-up costs to open new schools.
Negotiated Agreements with Employees
The Board is requesting a net increase of $14.8 million to fund the salary and benefits costs of negotiated agreements with employees for FY 1999. These modest agreements include an increase equivalent to only 1.9 percent of salary costs and important reductions in benefits costs. We will inaugurate a new partnership with teachers to involve all stakeholders, including parents, in the continuous quality improvement process. Agreements with professional staff spell out and emphasize accountability at all levels. This new relationship with employees complements instructional initiatives to improve student achievement. If we want improved student achievement, we must provide sufficient compensation to acquire and retain an outstanding staff.
An Affordable Budget
I believe that our budget request is affordable. We look forward to working with each of you to develop an operating budget that addresses the needs of our community and reflects our strong shared commitment to educational excellence. Thank you.