School Cuts Decried

Superintendent Predicts Layoffs, Furloughs, Pay Reductions, Larger Classes

Board member Eugene Peterson, who represents District 32, said the lack of funding for Bates "smacks of disparate treatment," because the school has a large percentage of students who are minorities, poor, and receiving free and reduced lunch.

"I think it puts us in some jeopardy here," Peterson said. "I believe that you not only need to have a fair budget, but an equitable budget."

Facing a $127 million revenue shortfall, Leopold's proposed fiscal 2010 operating budget totals $1.17 billion, 4 percent lower than the current budget and nearly 9 percent lower than what individual departments had requested.

"It's going to have to impact the classroom," said school board President Enrique Melendez, who represents the Annapolis area on the panel and urged community members to lobby Leopold and the County Council. "Teacher reductions, larger classroom sizes. I think it's important for the community to know what we are talking about and what potentially can happen."

Public meetings to discuss the school budget are scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday at Old Mill High School, 620 Patriot Lane, Millersville; and 1 p.m. Tuesday and 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Arundel Center, 44 Calvert St., Annapolis.