Board of Education Adopts Proposed Budget

Approves Revised Code of Conduct (March Board Notes)

The Wicomico County Board of Education at its monthly meeting Tuesday, March 10, adopted the Fiscal Year 2009-10 Unrestricted Current Expense Proposed Budget and approved a revised Code of Conduct, which will take effect for the 2009-2010 school year.

The Board adopted the Fiscal Year 2009-10 Unrestricted Current Expense Proposed Budget, which will be presented to the County Executive Friday to meet the March 15 submission deadline. During a difficult budget year in which the state's revenue estimates have changed frequently and the school system is still awaiting details on how federal stimulus funds may be used, the Board adopted a $167 million budget with $577,056 requested from the county for maintenance of effort in order to receive nearly $5.8 million in new funds from the state.

Superintendent Dr. John Fredericksen said this budget will focus strongly on reading, an indicator of success in school and on assessments at every grade level. Students who struggle to pass the HSAs usually struggled on the Reading MSA too, he said. The same students are more likely than their peers to have behavior issues. Focusing on reading will help these students -- and all students -- in many ways.

"We can make a difference," he said. "We are going to make that difference."

Money will also be allocated to controlling class sizes, providing staff to support students with meeting the state's High School Assessment (HSA) graduation requirement, and building student connections with staff members and schools. Federal stimulus funds will also help support reading and math support for some schools through Title I, special education services, and technology, though details on how these stimulus funds may be spent have not yet been released.

Board President Robin H. Holloway pointed out that while Wicomico is one of the few Maryland school systems receiving increased state funding next year, this is because of the county's rising enrollment and its growing population of economically disadvantaged students and students requiring special education services. Board member L. Michelle Wright praised the 6.75 new positions in the budget including the addition of a teacher and an assistant for Delmar Elementary, and the 3.5 positions for HSA coordinating teachers. Wright said she would be watching for the effect of $2.9 million in budget realignments for FY2009-10, particularly the 27.41 realigned positions. Board member Ron Willey was out of town for the meeting, but shared by phone earlier that he supports the proposed budget and the 3.5 HSA positions, though he wants to see results.

The Board of Education's next public budget input session will be at 5:30 p.m. May 20 at the Board of Education Office. By that date, the school system should have funding information from the county and will be ready to hear public input one more time before adopting a final FY2009-10 budget by June 30. The proposed budget may be viewed on the Board’s web site atwww.wcboe.org under Quick Links as “09-10 Proposed Budget.”

The Board on Tuesday, March 10, also approved on second and final reading the revised Code of Conduct, which will take effect for the 2009-2010 school year. The Code of Conduct will be posted at www.wcboe.org, and will be shared with students, parents and guardians, and the community through schools and public information meetings. Professional development on the revised Code of Conduct will be provided for teachers, administrators and other staff members.

Two teachers urged the Board to consider higher minimum penalties for giving a false ID or refusing to give ID, and for sexual harassment. Superintendent Dr. John Fredericksen said the new Code of Conduct spells out a range of penalties for these and other offenses, and principals will know best how to apply the code. Board Vice President Mark S. Thompson said that during information meetings over the summer, school officials should make it clear that principals do not have to start with the minimum penalty if they feel a stronger response is needed.

A student shared that she is pleased to see strong penalties for cyberbullying, which she has seen a friend suffer. Board member Brian Kilgore praised the work of the Code revision committee, particularly the list of rights and responsibilities for teachers, students and parents.

GO HERE to read public comments.