Letter: School board needs to show more fiscal responsibility

I had the opportunity to testify at last week's Board of Education meeting asking for fiscal responsibility, leadership, transparency and for community input about the recently found $10 million surplus in the school system budget.

I do not believe it is fiscally responsible or prudent to say, "We don't have enough money for certain priorities" like our school liaison positions or our move to a virtual education program, when in fact, a couple weeks later the board says, "We not only have enough money, but we have extra money." I applaud Mr. Meshkin in his fight for organizational input by groups like the PTA and the Budget Review Committee, stressing the need for transparency. The Gang of Four believed this surplus is their money not the taxpayers.

I believe during these trying times for Howard County taxpayers, when unemployment and homelessness is at an all-time high, for the board to approval a budget transfer of almost $500,000 out of the special education budget and $3 million out of the budget for teacher salaries and transferred these funds to the mid-level administration budget shows this board does not respect the request of the community and taxpayer.

Robert D. Ballinger

Ellicott City

Robert Ballinger is a candidate for the Howard County Board of Education..