SNOW HILL – The Worcester County Commissioners reiterated their support of a maintenance of effort education budget with a second vote on the matter this week.
On Tuesday, in front of a crowd of citizens wearing “Support Our Schools” buttons, the commissioners voted 5-2 to approve a maintenance of effort budget of $100 million for Worcester County Public Schools. Commissioners Joe Mitrecic and Diana Purnell, both of whom have expressed concern with the reduced education funding, opposed the motion.
“It does not look at the future of our education system properly,” Mitrecic said.
The commissioners initially voted to fund the school system at the maintenance of effort (MOE) level—the level needed to provide the same amount of funding on a per pupil basis year to year—on May 9. That decision came after commissioners said the school system had failed to provide requested budget details.
This week, when the overall $235 million county budget was presented for consideration, Commissioner Jim Bunting made a motion to approve the school board budget at the MOE level of $100,006,640. In his motion he also included funding retirement expenses of $758,679 and Buckingham Elementary School design fees of $815,000. He said the school system was also receiving state and other funding of $25.9 million which is a $2.9 million increase over the current year as well as restricted funding of $24.7 million (which is a $4.2 million increase), making the total school system budget $126,705,070.
Notice how the old guard Metrecic, and Purnell are wanting status quo, because its for the children. How many times you heard that? And the new guard, want accountability, and transparency. I wonder if it was for the children when they let Taylor buy an $80,000 high end SUV for his work use, and personal use? They always work together for the North End of the county. The good ole boy system is alive and well in Worcester County. That’s why Eric, and Caryn ran, to oppose some of the good ole boy network. Throw a sofa in the road in West Ocean City, or near Ocean Pines, and see how fast it gets picked up by Public Works. Then throw one out on Rt 12 going to Girdle Tree, or around Pocomoke. Don’t hold your breath. Public Works is conditioned, when the North End calls you better respond, quickly, and with urgency. To sum it up. When you get new commissioners that want accountability, and transparency, watch who opposes. They’re not working for you. They’re working for the system. Pay attention county taxpayers. And the residents who want this spending? All North End residents. Guarantee it.
I am grateful for the courage and fortitude of our Commissioners and School Board Member who are demanding transparency. Yes, those “elected officials” who continually run unopposed act like they have a mandate to MAINTAIN THE STATUS QUO…