FREDERICK, Md. (KR) On Monday night, the Frederick County Council held a hearing on County Executive Jan Gardner’s proposed budget for the school system.
Gardner’s spending plan call for the board of ed to receive $261 million for next fiscal year – which is $14 million more than last year.
President of the Frederick County Teachers Association, Missy Dirks, said she supports the anticipated budget increase and said the funding should be viewed as an investment rather than an expenditure.
“The Board of Ed did not get as much as they’d asked for, but I think there is enough in the budget to allow the salary transition which is the number one priority to continue and to higher the new staff that we need to cover the growth enrollment,” said Dirks.
Dirks said the pay increase would make starting teachers salaries more competitive with other counties. The County Council must approve their budget for fiscal year 2018 by May 31st. The budget will take effect on July 1st.