A Maryland teachers union said that while the Montgomery County Public Schools’ new recommended school budget expands universal pre-K and waives fees for standardized tests, it still leaves many needs unaddressed.
The Montgomery County Education Association is also calling for free meals to all students and the elimination of fees for field trips and other activities in the proposed $3.15 billion operating budget for fiscal year 2024, Bethesda Beat first reported.
In a letter last December, MCEA said:
Food security is a real issue for many students across this county, but many do not apply for aid out of fear or a sense of shame. Every school day, educators see how learning is affected by a student’s access to adequate nutrition during the school day.
By removing fees as a barrier for student participation in field trips and other activities, MCPS would ensure equity in access to experiential learning, which has been proven to increase student engagement and academic success.
A work session Tuesday discussed the budget Superintendent Monifa McKnight recommended last December. There are two more budget work sessions scheduled for Jan. 18 and Jan. 24.
The 2024 budget calls for a $235.4 million increase — 8% — over the current budget (FY 2023), according to a Montgomery County schools news release.
“I urge the Board of Education to carefully consider my recommendation and work with county leaders to pass a budget that will provide our students today, and in the future, with the skills, knowledge, and critical wraparound supports they need to be successful,” McKnight said in a statement.
The union said that the cost of living in Montgomery County has risen more than 60% since 2002, yet teacher salaries have fallen by 15-17% when adjusted for inflation.
The group also cited understaffing, which it said has led to “overcrowded classrooms and high caseloads for all service providers, including special educators, counselors, school psychologists, and English language teachers.”
“Educators struggle to do their jobs while picking up extra duties caused by inadequate staffing and growing student need,” MCEA said.
