NORTH HARFORD HIGH SCHOOL
211 PYLESVILLE RD, PYLESVILLE, MD 21132
410-638-3650
VOLUME 44 ISSUE 9
MAY 16, 2023
Budget creates buzz among students, staff, community;
Discussions, decisions continue as plans develop KIMBERLY ALLEN Reporter
In an interview on May 5, Mrs. Chrystie Crawford-Smick, President of the Harford County Education Association, said the Harford County Council met with Superintendent Dr. Sean Bulson and his staff in late April to discuss the County Executive’s proposed budget for Harford County Public Schools (HCPS). This budget includes a significant reduction in funding. Crawford-Smick said, “Each year, HCPS loses a bit over 200 teachers to retirement, moving, and leaving the profession. But a $39 million cut could equate to over 450 positions lost.” Regarding the proposed budget, Bulson added that there were “11 straight years where positions were cut,” and he is “afraid of losing momentum.” He said that in “the past few years, the school system has been able to put in place many resources for students, and now we may have to cut more positions.” Cry of the Hawk reporters reached out to County Excutive Mr. Bob Cassilly about the budget developments. However, Mr. Sam Kahl, his Public Information Officer, let reporters know the council president was not able to do an interview. He then directed journalists to a document titled ‘Harford County Budget in Brief.’ The document reports, “In times of economic uncertainty, we must focus on needs versus wants. This budget reduces our structural deficit, makes major investments in public safety, and contributes to full funding for public schools, all without raising tax rates.” The document also states, “[The Harford County Council] continue[s] our county’s commitment to a high quality of education for our children.” Crawford-Smick added that "the people who work directly with our students each day are the bulk of the district's 5,100 employees. You cannot fill a $39 million dollar budget shortfall without impacting staffing.” In an interview with the HCPS Superintendent on Friday, May 5, he added that “87% of the budget is salaries
and benefits, so his biggest fear is that [HCPS] will have to lose positions or change the salary package.” Right now, that salary package includes a 3% cost of living increase. Mrs. Shelly Sparks, math teacher and union representative for the Harford County Education Association for North Harford High School, said, “I don’t think the County Executive is considering what is important and vital for our education system nor our impact on the county. I'm concerned that if the budget cut is put into effect, it will make class sizes larger, lose resources, and certain classes might not be available to students.” Principal Mr. Brian Pawlicki added that he is “ hopeful that the County Council will consider the impact that the proposed cuts would have on the instruction we provide to the students of Harford County and make decisions with the needs of the students in mind.” The previous County Executive fully funded the HCPS budget request for three consecutive years. No county executive has ever given the school system less money than they received the year before, according to Crawford-Smick. The ‘Harford County Budget in Brief’ documents confirm that “for the past three years, the county fully funded the board of education’s budget request” and that “this funding, along with massive infusions of COVID relief funds, led HCPS to accumulate an unprecedented fund balance of $92 million in unspent taxpayer money.” According to Crawford-Smick, the Superintendent and the finance department create the budget, and there is a lot to consider when making decisions for a school system with 36,000 students and 5,100 employees. Bulson said, “[The budget is] so complex; we look at where we are and what we have. We consider increased costs and rising inflation. We must understand where inflation affects cost of living, materials, construction, gas for buses, etc.” The County Executive suggests that the county budget is going up because of schools. However, Bulson noted that
Harford County Public libraries, Harford Community College, and the Harford County Sheriff’s Department are all seeing rising costs, and this proposed budget impacts all of those departments. Bulson added, “We do have savings that could balance the budget this year, but my
shortfall of the proposed budget, that HCPS will likely find itself in the same position next year with regard to making big cuts to staffing and more. Community members, parents, students, and staff members have had various reactions about the budget. Bulson said that HCPS contiues to bring
passed previously that could impact things long term financially for HCPS. Bulson and Crawford-Smick both suggest that community members who want to advocate against budget cuts should share their positive stories about HCPS. Bulson added, “If you want to help improve a
Members of the community continue to have various reactions to the proposed HCPS budget. In Bel Air on May 4, citizens protested against possible cuts to school funding. PHOTO CREDIT: Kimberly Allen concern is the next two years. With the pandemic, we got a lot of federal money, but it comes with a timeline, and will not be coming back.” He clarified that if that money is spent now to compensate for the
awareness to the issue on social media and “allowing the public to address their concerns at formal and informal meetings.” The superintendent is also working with state leaders on legislation that was
community, you need to have a strong school. Good schools matter. 25% of taxpayers have students in our school system. It is important to help the other 75% understand the value of what is going on in schools.”