Harford schools would get a 7 percent budget increase, mostly to pay for higher teacher salaries and benefits, under a $457 million spending plan approved by the school board.

Board President Tom Fidler noted $20 million of the $29 million increase would cover the increases for teachers.

“That is not something you can really cut without having a huge impact on student achievement or professional development,” Fidler said.

Some of the funding increase would cover existing positions that had been paid for by state and federal grants that have run out, Fidler said, leaving the county to take on the burden of maintaining or cutting those jobs.

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The rest of the proposed budget increase would go toward higher costs for daily expenses such as gas and energy, more high-tech classrooms and positions to maintain a growing fleet of buses, Fidler said.

“There’s very little in it of what I’d call making progress,” said board member Mark Wolkow. “It’s very much in keeping with the status quo.”

Under the budget approved by the board, the county would contribute $228.5 million, with the rest coming from state and federal sources.

A $2.2 million “priority list” included 10 special education teachers and assistants and seven technicians to maintain schools’ heating, plumbing and electronics.

The board also approved $125 million in county money for capital improvements such as new or expanded schools.

The County Council trimmed last year’s $210 million board request by $12.7 million, leaving slots for teachers and support staff unfunded.

Fidler said he was optimistic this year’s request would win approval.

What’s next?

County Executive David Craig will review the school budget by the end of March, then send his proposal to the County Council, which must approve the budget.

msantoni@baltimoreexaminer.com