Just the Facts on the County Budget

It is indeed unfortunate that some in the county continue to try and pit the interests of education against other county services. MCEA believes that all county services are important, all have suffered damaging cuts in the last three years, and the county government needs to 1) do more to raise revenues to restore services and well as 2) focusing more of the county's resources on services rather than on reserve funds.

To be clear:

1. The Board of Education's proposed budget accepts the level of county funding that was set by the County Council last spring - nothing more. The County Council unilaterally "rebased" its Maintenance of Effort obligation, and in doing so enshrined a $1,500 decrease in local per-pupil spending. The Board of Education's budget accepts that lower level of local per pupil spending.

2. The Board of Education's OVERALL proposed budget is ony increasing by 2.2%. In contrast, the budget for county agencies is proposed to increase by 4.7%. (see this chart, which is reprinted from the County Excutive's Recommended FY13 Operating Budget, Schedule B-2, on pages 71-1 to 71-2). NOTE: the chart indicates the county government budget increasing by 8.6%. However since this includes retiree health trust fund funding for all agencies (aka "OPEB") - the fairer comparison backs OPEB out, leaving the county government increase at 4.7%, compared to the increase of only 2.2% in the MCPS budget - most of which is funded by increased state aid, not local dollars).

3. As a percent County generated revenues, the proposed Board of Education budget represents the lowest share since 1999. MCPS share of locally generated revenues will fall to just 41.8%, from a high of 52.5% in 2002. (see chart below).

It's time we stop pitting county services against one another and instead work to improve all the services our residents - and especially our students, elderly, and most vulnerable - depend on.