It
sometimes seems, to those of us who follow the school systems budget
process that as soon as one cycle ends, another begins. Well, it's
that time again! After the January 19, 1999 meeting of the Harford
County Board of Education, a "needs driven" budget of $223 million
dollars was accepted and will now go to the new County Executive for
funding.
What
is "needs driven?"
This fall, HCPS received the results of the MSPAP tests given to Maryland
students in grades 3, 5, and 8 in May of 1998. Our scores continue
to rise and we are very proudly situated in second place on a statewide
level. In an effort to meet, and maybe exceed, these scores in future
years, as well as continue the business of educating all public-school
students, the HCPS, under the direction of our new Superintendent,
Mrs. Jacqueline Haas, spent many months compiling individual department
budgets and need lists. Input was received from each individual school,
PTA, and other community groups and all of this information became
a budget that "reflects the long and short-term goals of the system".
The
Central Office staff and the BOE members have heard the calls for
smaller class sizes, more technology equipment, training and curriculum,
and adequate facilities, in which to carry on the business of education
on a daily basis. These, coupled with the needs of our excellent teaching
staff for adequate reimbursement for their efforts and the cost of
those federally mandated programs, has driven the development of this
budget and has driven the cost of these "needs" to a new, all-time
high.
Now
what happens?
The next step in this process is to send the School Board budget to
the County Executive, Mr. Harkins. His staff will review this request,
along with the request of the other departments in the county government
(Sheriff's Office, Water and Sewer, HCC, Libraries, etc.) and determine
the level of funding allotted to each for the 1999-2000 fiscal year.
Now
what happens? The next step in this process is to send the School
Board budget to the County Executive, Mr. Harkins. His staff will
review this request, along with the request of the other departments
in the county government (Sheriff's Office, Water and Sewer, HCC,
Libraries, etc.) and determine the level of funding allotted to each
for the 1999-2000 fiscal year. During this stage, public hearings
will be held, with opportunities given to all citizens to come forward
and present their view of the spending plans. Then, on April 1st,
the budget will go to the County Council for more public hearings
and finally, approval of funds.
What
do we do?
The short answer is... come to public hearings and express your opinion.
Yes, it is "another night out." We all have "very full schedules",
a " life outside of PTA ", and "too many things on our plate. " But,
as members of PTA, we also have a responsibility to speak out on behalf
of children. Children have no voice because they have no vote. No
one is saying that children should vote. . .that's what they have
a us for! We vote, we meet, we express our concerns, we write letters,
and make phone calls (or send e-mails) to those who control the purse
strings. That's our responsibility and I am calling on each and every
member of each and every PTA/PTSA, (as well as every other parent
and community organization) to exercise this responsibility. If you
don't, the County Executive and County Council members will get the
message that education is not a priority in the lives of parents of
Harford County.
I
know this is not true; I know you care. I know you want the educational
"needs" of your children... of all children... to be met on a daily basis,
in a class with excellent (not just "OK") student-teacher ratios;
where the materials are up-to-date and adequately provided; where
facilities are maintained and advances in the ever-changing world
of the future (technology) are met.
There
are many voices out of there who think the schools have enough funds,
teachers are overpaid and "if we are doing so well with the little
funds we have now, why do we need more? " This is antiquated thinking.
With this mindset at work we'll soon find ourselves saying " you get
what to pay for " and it won't be a positive statement.
We
must continue to meet the needs of the students. Attracting highly
qualified instructors to keep up with the fast paced world we expect
our children to live and contribute to, is just one way to maintain
our high standards and expectations. Every day someone adds something
to the ever-growing list of " things " teachers should be teaching.
But we continue to think of teachers as "noble" and not underpaid.
IF we truly believe that education is a priority, that children are
a priority and "that children are our future " then we need to stop
downplaying the role of the teacher and start to "put our money where
our mouth is."
When
the County Executive and County Council announce the schedule of public
meetings during the next few months. . . Be There! If you don't attend,
and funds are not appropriated and programs are cut, you will have
no one to blame but yourself. It's time to look in the mirror and
recognize the person who has the power to make decisions, make changes,
and impact the life of a child. . .YOU!
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To
access the HCPS's proposed 1999-2000 budget, enter the following web
address into your web browser: www.co.ha.md.us/harford_schools
Navigate
the page until you see the section called "The Latest News." Find
the icon marked "1999-2000 HCPS proposed budget." This icon will take
you to the following three parts of the HCPS's proposed budget: 1999-2000
Budget Enhancements - cover sheets to each budget category; Category
Summary - Budget summaries by state reporting objects; and Line Item
Detail - Budget line item account details; download Microsoft Excel
97 spreadsheet file viewer per the instructions on the web page. Download
the files and use the Microsoft Excel 97 spreadsheet file viewer to
view the files locally on your home PC. Call the Public.
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The
following is an editorial comment and is not necessarily the opinion
or position of the Harford County Council of PTA.
The
following editorial comments are not meant to offend the leaders
of local PTA units who continue to show their dedication to the
positions to which they have been elected. However, there are those
units who continually neglect some of the official duties which
accompany their respective elected positions. The following editorial
comments are not meant to offend the leaders of local PTA units
who continue to show their dedication to the positions to which
they have been elected. However, there are those units who continually
neglect some of the official duties which accompany their respective
elected positions.
It is to those elected officials that this editorial
is directed. It is meant to remind those elected to leadership positions
of local units of the awesome responsibility and opportunities that
come with your leadership positions.
On January 20,
HCCPTA held its monthly Council meeting. This meeting, like the
October and November meetings that preceded it, was a program meeting.
Invited to present information crucial to the children and youth
of Harford County were States Attorney Joseph Cassilly and Dr. Bernadette
Albanese Program Director for the Johns Hopkins University School
of Hygiene and Public Health. Mr. Cassilly presented two upcoming
legislative bills which will directly affect drug notification procedures
in Harford County when involving a juvenile in a drug felony, and
the comprehensive sharing of information with regards the services
provided to juvenile drug users.
In addition Dr.
Albanese presented a comprehensive informational program outlining
the dangers of the Overuse of Antibiotics. During Mr. Cassilly's
presentation of the upcoming proposed legislation, he was asked
why he chose to present this legislation to the Harford County Council
of PTAs. His answer was forthright and exact: "[because] if the
PTA's [of Harford County] are not behind this [legislation] and
do not support it, then our delegation will not present this legislation
[in Annapolis]." That is an awful lot of power for one organization.
It is the kind of "power" and recognition that this organization
(HCCPTA) and its officers have worked long and hard to obtain. Not
for our individual officers, but for this organization, the local
units it represents, the parent members of those units, and the
children we serve.
When I looked around the room during
these two presentations at the lack of attendance from our local
units, quite frankly, I was embarrassed! Here the State's Attorney
talks to us about the power of our organization, and I see less
than 10 out of our 45 local units represented! What must that say
about the true strength of this organization. In addition to our
lack of ability to conduct the business of this organization.
As elected leaders of your local
PTA it is your official responsibility to attend HCCPTA Council
Meetings. It is a directive of your local bylaws Article XII; Section
1 that your local unit shall be represented in meetings of the Harford
County Council of Parent Teacher Associations by the president or
alternate, the principal or alternate, and by [at least one] delegate
or their alternates.
We
conduct YOUR business during these meetings. We make decisions regarding
the spending of YOUR local council dues. The Harford County Council
of PTA leadership has taken great pains to survey, to question,
and to respond to the needs of the elected officials of our local
PTAs. Your HCCPTA leadership has been open and responsive to your
requests for services and information. We've answered questions,
taken telephone calls, and we have spent an enormous amount of time
planning. Planning informational programs, leadership workshops,
and inviting members of other organizations to share their knowledge.
Now, I must assume, from the poor
attendance at HCCPTA Council meetings, that your PTA is functioning
like a well-oiled machine. That you have no questions about curriculum,
facilities, or technology. That you have all the knowledge you need,
and all the information you want to share with your parent members.
That you aren't in need of the additional information, programs,
guidance, and leadership skills that are available to you from your
council. If my assumption is incorrect, then there is no justification
for the lack of attendance at our Council Meetings. No reasonable
justification, ONLY APATHY and IRRESPONSIBILITY.
As an elected leader of your local
PTA, you have taken on an awesome responsibility. I've been there!
There are meetings, paperwork, cultural arts, field trips, scheduling,
fundraising events, activities, planning, and late night telephone
calls. In addition, there is the rest of your life, your family,
your friends, your health, your kids, and your job. It's a great
juggling act. We've all been there and continue to be there. Every
elected council member is still there. Juggling!
As
elected officials of a local PTA unit, and of the council, we all
have an enormous responsibility to the members who elected us. We
all said yes to those responsibilities and to the parents we represent
and the children we serve.
On February 24, HCCPTA will present
an extensive program presented by Jerry Iannacci entitled "Kids
Need a Future...Not Funerals." These programs are prepared to present
you with information that you in turn can take back to your local
unit. IF the program is presented to an empty room - then you don't
benefit, your local unit doesn't benefit, your parents don't benefit,
and sadly, the children you represent don't benefit.
Review your bylaws, notify your members,
teachers, and administrators. Check your calendar, and mark the
date! Your attendance is expected.
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