Interim Superintendent Larry Bowers Recommends FY 2017 Budget (VIDEO & PHOTOS)
Montgomery County Public Schools Interim Superintendent Larry Bowers presented his recommended Fiscal Year 2017 Operating Budget to the Board of Education on Dec. 8th. Bowers recommends a total of $2.4 billion for FY 2017. Bowers calls for a budget increase of 4.5 percent in new spending to help maintain the school system and its goals including closing the achievement gap.
In this MyMCMedia Extra video, Bowers, who plans to retire in June 2016 after serving MCPS for 38 years, says serving as Interim Superintendent allowed him to push for more in the budget plan.
“This budget solidifies our foundation and prepares MCPS to make investments in future years to address the growing needs of our students,” Bowers said. “I recognize that the economic times are still challenging but we cannot cut our budget any further and, in fact, we have to begin investing again if we are going to give our students the education they deserve,” he said.
Bowers also noted in his comments that MCPS has been funded at or below the minimum funding level required by law since 2009. This is known as Maintenance of Effort. “Maintenance of Effort means a disinvestment in education, and our children cannot afford that,” Bowers said.
The recommended budget also focused on funding six Strategic Priority Focus Areas with $2.8 million. The focus areas include:
- Equity and Cultural Proficiency
- Literacy and Mathematics
- Career Readiness
- Partnerships and Engagement
- Accountability and Results
- Human Capital Management
Interim Superintendent Bowers presentation is just one factor the Board of Education is taking into consideration regarding the operating budget. The Board will be taking public feedback on the budget recommendation at two public hearings scheduled for January 7, 2016 and January 14, 2016 at the Carver Educational Services auditorium. The Board is set to adopt the budget on February 9, 2016 and submit it to the County Executive and the Council to deliberate.
.Interim Supt. Bowers outlining six strategic enhancements that the recommended budget addresses. @mymcmedia pic.twitter.com/KI9DoVVeNv
— Maureen Chowdhury (@MediaMaureen) December 8, 2015
.@MCPS Supt. Bowers says minimal level of funding is not sufficient to reach goals including closing the achievement gap. @mymcmedia — Maureen Chowdhury (@MediaMaureen) December 8, 2015
.@MCPS interim Supt: “we can’t level the playing field if we continue to scale back our commitment and resources for education.”
— MCPS (@MCPS) December 8, 2015
Interim Superintendent Larry Bowers begins FY 2017 budget presentation. @mocoboe @mymcmedia pic.twitter.com/DLNidVr2jc — Maureen Chowdhury (@MediaMaureen) December 8, 2015
Related:
Bowers on Recommended MCPS FY17 Budget Cuts (VIDEO)
Interim Superintendent Larry Bowers presented his recommended Fiscal Year 2017 Operating Budget Dec. 8th. In this MyMCMedia Extra video, Bowers comments on recommended budget cuts. Related:
Interim Superintendent Larry Bowers Recommends FY 2017 Budget (VIDEO & PHOTOS)
Montgomery County Public Schools Interim Superintendent Larry Bowers presented his recommended Fiscal Year 2017 Operating Budget to the Board of Education on Dec. 8th. Bowers recommends a total of $2.4 billion for FY 2017. Bowers calls for a budget increase of 4.5 percent in new spending to help maintain the school system and its goals including […]
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