Peter Hauslohner, Laura Siegel, Shirley Brandman, and Gigi Godwin spoke for the children.
"We believe that the needs of our children deserve to be given precedence over all others, and that what happens to kids after schools and on weekends and during the summer is just as important to their development as what happens in school," said Hauslohner, chair of the Western Area Recreation Advisory Board, located in Potomac.
Hauslohner and approximately 90 other residents testified before the Montgomery County Council at public hearings on April 4, April 8 and April 9. An additional 60 residents are scheduled to speak at two additional hearings on Wednesday, April 10, after The Almanac's Tuesday presstime.
The recreational and school-based needs of youth formed a major theme presented by county residents.
"The original plan for FY 2003 called for $17.6 million to be allocated to the ongoing initiatives identified as crucial to school improvement. These have been delayed with no indication of future implementation," said Laura Siegel, co-coordinator of the Churchill cluster of schools. "We are particularly concerned about the delays in reducing the number of oversized classes; special education improvements and related staff increases; ESOL improvements; increasing the numbers of counselors, psychologists and pupil personnel workers; increasing access to technology and technology staff; and lastly, increasing the number of school security staff."
Siegel also voiced the concern of many Potomac parents that no current elementary or middle school student will see badly needed renovations completed.
Until May 23 — the day the Montgomery County Council is scheduled to sign off on the FY03 Operating Budget — councilmembers will listen — or read — public testimony, deliberate with other councilmembers during committee worksessions, and work together to develop the operating budget for FY03.
The total recommended operating budget of more than $3 billion, (see charts, page 2) represents an increase 5.4 percent over last year's approved budget. The total recommended tax supported budget is $2.446 billion, up $115 million or 5.0 percent.
"With revenues constrained by the economic slowdown and the aftershocks of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the recommended budget attempts to preserve basic services and support only a few new priorities," wrote Stephen Farber, council staff director, in an overview of the recommended FY 03 operating budget.
The largest additions are for employee compensation.
Even though the budget allows for a 5 percent increase, because overall compensation is slated to increase by more than 9 percent, some programs must be cut.
"In a tight year, when you have employee compensation of this kind, it is going to crowd something out," said Farber.
While the recommended budget fully funds this year's budget request from Montgomery County Public Schools, parents explained to the councilmembers that this in no way meant students' needs have been fully funded.
"The Wootton community restates its view that this county does not have needy schools but rather it has needy children. We are not a Title I set of schools but we now have a substantial increase in students who are entitled to Title I services," said Gigi Godwin, co-cluster coordinator for the Wootton cluster of schools. "If resources are to be made available to needy children, and we believe that they should be, then such resources should be based on a child's need, not the school's address."