Washington County Public Schools request more money from county commissioners Tuesday

The Washington County Board of Commissioners got its first look at the school board's $318.5 million operating budget for fiscal year 2023, which begins July 1.

Though the commissioners gave little insight as to what they will ultimately allocate to Washington County Public Schools, Commissioner Charles Burkett offered his opinion.

"I would like to see us do more for the board of education," he said.

Schools Superintendent Boyd Michael, staff and members of the Washington County Board of Education came before the commissioners Tuesday. It's an exercise they do annually, since the commissioners fund a large portion of the operating budget.

The commissioners are slated to give Washington County Public Schools $109 million through maintenance of effort. The state's maintenance of effort provision requires each county government to provide, on a per-pupil basis, at least as much funding for the local school system as was provided in the prior fiscal year.

But the school district is asking the commissioners for $110.5 million, which is an increase of nearly $4.7 million, or 4.41%, over what it received in the current fiscal year 2022, which ends June 30.

The $110.5 million is also more than $1.4 million, or 1.36%, over the $109 million maintenance of effort funding.

Michael said the students need the extra money.

"The (budget) meets the basic needs of our students in Washington County," he said. "… I hope the county commissioners will not just consider maintenance of effort. I just request you go beyond maintenance of effort. It's not nearly enough to fund the things we need."

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The school system is expected to receive a revenue increase of $15.94 million from the current fiscal year, for a total of $207 million. The money comes from state coffers.

Questions about school resource officers

During the meeting, school board President Melissa Williams asked the commissioners to take over funding of the four school resource officers from the Washington County Sheriff's Office that patrol schools.

The school system spends $1.2 million on the four sheriff's deputies and six Hagerstown Police Department officers who monitor the schools, said Jeff Proulx, the school system's chief operating officer.

The school board has said often that money set aside for school resource officers takes away from other student needs, such as counselors and social workers.

But Commissioners President Jeff Cline told Williams it was not a "fair" question to ask at this time. Cline said the commissioners were not ready to make any decision on funding the resource officers.

"I'll keep a fair, open mind," he said.

What other costs are proposed?

Looking closer at the proposed spending plan, the school system could spend $13.5 million in compensation and benefits, $469,000 for more counselors, two social workers and two English language teachers.

The school system could spend another $2.98 million in the proposed budget for increases in software costs, operational supplies, phone, electric, water, sewer, heating fuel, vehicle fuel and facility maintenance. Those figures depend on usage and prices in the coming year.

School board Vice President Stan Stouffer suggested that the commissioners visit some of the schools to see what goes on.

"Set up visits to schools," he said. "See what the teachers and staff are dealing with daily, and tell us what is not needed."

Teachers and staff for months have been coming to the board of education's business meetings expressing their concerns over working conditions in the classrooms. They express concerns over lack of planning time to unruly students.

Sherry Greenfield is the Education Reporter, covering Washington County Public Schools and the Washington County Board of Education. Follow Sherry on Twitter at Sheina2018 or Instagram at beckmangreenfield.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Commissioners provide little insight into BOE requests for more money