Although specific details of the $3.32 billion proposed next school year budget by Superintendent Monifa McKnight have not yet been made public, members of three unions wrote in a joint letter that the budget is “rightly prioritized.”
The news release from Service Employees International Union, Local 500, Montgomery County Education Association and Montgomery County Association of Administrators and Principals praised the proposed Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Montgomery County Public Schools budget for “fulfilling many of the basic agreements that are required to retain the highly qualified staff who work to keep this system going day in and day out.”
The proposed budget calls for a $157 million increase over the current budget and includes almost $100 million to cover negotiated salaries and healthcare costs. It includes money for social workers, psychologists, parent community coordinators and restorative justice specialists.
In the unions’ news release, the members noted how difficult the current school year is, due to “severe staffing shortages.” It noted, “This shortage is hurting our children, particularly those with special needs. This year, we again experienced short staffing in special education, both for teachers and paraeducators. We still have unfilled positions in mental and behavioral health, services that our students so desperately need.”
MCPS is struggling to reduce absenteeism and lateness and deal with behavioral and mental health issues, according to the statement.
Before being adopted, McKnight’s budget must be approved by both members of the Board of Education and the County Council.
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