Howard County has, on occasion, borrowed an idea or two from Montgomery County, its arguably ultraliberal neighbor. For instance, a trendy proposal to set up a system to use taxpayer dollars to allow Howard candidates to finance campaigns for local races mirrors aspects of a Montgomery model.
In what has been called an unparalleled move in recent times, Montgomery's council on Monday voted to scale back employee raises, negotiated in contracts with unions that wield considerable power, in order to provide more money to schools.
With Howard's leaders contemplating the school system's budget request, there's little doubt that the neighbor's maneuver hasn't gone unnoticed.
Howard's teachers union fired a preemptive shot at a hearing last week, with teachers and others hoisting signs to "Keep Your Promise" and "Find a Way" to pay for raises and benefits.
The school system, in a quirky ploy, launched an online survey to solicit ideas for trims to the budget and programs.
The dilemma: Howard's council is staring at a $50 million gap in the level of funding sought by the school board and the amount recommended in the county executive's budget, which exceeds a state-mandated minimum.
Cuts are going to be necessary, and salaries and benefits – accounting for almost 86 percent of the schools' operating budget – are tempting targets.
Toying with a negotiated pact would certainly upend a labor peace that has existed between the superintendent, Board of Education and union, which can flex political muscle, as evidenced in last month's primary election. (Three union-backed school board candidates were top vote-getters)
Public employees – including teachers, police officers and firefighters – mustn't be pawns on a political chessboard. However, the superintendent and school board have to do their jobs and come forward with ideas to bridge a $50 million gap.
As the budget-adoption deadline looms, that means all options must remain on the table – including keeping up with the neighbors and studying changes in pay and benefits.