MoCo PTAs Oppose School Cuts

The Montgomery County Council of PTAs has joined the school unions and student organizations in protesting additional cuts to MCPS beyond the County Executive's proposal. Following is their statement on the budget.

May 9, 2010
Press Release

Montgomery County Council of PTAs (MCCPTA) Board of Directors Statement Regarding Recommendations for the FY 2011 Operating Budget

The Board of Directors of the Montgomery County Council of Parent Teacher Associations (MCCPTA) issues the following statement in response to the recommendation of the Management and Fiscal Policy Committee of the Montgomery County Council to cut an additional $33.7 million from the MCPS operating budget for FY 2011:

“The County Executive’s recommended budget for MCPS cuts $137 million relative to the “Maintenance of Effort” (MOE) level of funding required by the State of Maryland and would likely result in an average increase in classroom size of one student per class. This level of funding is already below the bare minimum needed to maintain our current educational standards. The Management and Fiscal Policy Committee’s recommended additional $33.7 million cut is equivalent to increasing average class size by an additional two students per class (almost 500 teaching positions), or to a reduction in five staffing days during the upcoming fiscal year. Moreover, reducing the County funding level further below the state MOE would also increase the risk of MCPS losing an additional $52 million in state funding.

“We oppose balancing the Montgomery County budget on the backs of our children.”

Kay Romero, President
Montgomery County Council of PTA (MCCPTA)