Laura Greenback, The Examiner
2007-02-22 08:00:00.0
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Anne Arundel County -

As far as increases go, the Anne Arundel County School Board didn’t hold back, passing a budget that’s a whopping 19 percent higher than last year’s.

“We know we’ve been an underfunded school system for years,” said Board Member Eugene Peterson, who voted for the increase. “We are paying for the sins of the past.”

Wednesday’s 6-2 vote in Annapolis approved School Superintendent Kevin Maxwell’s $941 million proposal for next year’s operating budget, which is an increase of about $150 million over last year.

“We need to be clear that my perspective — and that of my staff — is that we need an infusion of cash,” said Maxwell, whose original proposal was for $920 million. During the meeting, he bumped that number up by an additional $21 million — $1 million of which will allow the school system to negotiate for higher salaries for employees. The other $19 million will be put toward food services.

Not all agreed with Maxwell.

The budget “is grossly extravagant and does not address education reform,” said Victor Bernson Jr., a board member who voted against the proposal. “It raises false hopes. We can’t spend our way out of our current challenges.”

Money from Maxwell’s budget will increase security, technology and specialized learning programs. About $5 million in extra funding will go to implement all-day kindergarten in the remaining 17 elementary schools that don’t have it. And about $3.5 million will bring in extra laptops and add 17 support technicians.

The budget still must go before the County Council before returning to the School Board in June for finalization.

lgreenback@baltimoreexaminer.com