$1.3B Budget Approved By Anne Arundel County Board Of Education

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — The Anne Arundel County board of education has finalized a $1.3 billion fiscal year 2021 operating budget that includes funding for 57 positions needed to open the new Crofton High School in the fall and adds 14 school counselors and two school psychologists to the district in order to better address the social emotional needs of students.

The budget was approved at the board's June 17 meeting at which time the board passed an amendment that added five school counselors, one school psychologist and one school climate teacher specialist. In exchange, the board deleted seven transportation positions added by the County Council earlier this month. That change must now go back to the County Council.

The budget provides for 267 additional positions, more than 90 percent of which are allocated to personnel who have daily contact with students. Those positions include 10 English language acquisition teachers also added by the County Council.

Also funded are 75.8 special education positions, including 11 positions to maintain the special education program currently being run by Kennedy Krieger at Southern High School. Kennedy Krieger is ending its participation in the beneficial special needs program after this school year. Subsequent to adopting the budget, the board ratified negotiated agreements with the Association of Education Leaders (AEL), the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Local 1693; and the Secretaries and Assistants Association of Anne Arundel County (SAAAAC). Members of those bargaining units had previously ratified the agreements.
The board also approved terms of employment for the Teachers Association of Anne Arundel County, which has yet to reach an agreement with the board, and for unrepresented employees.