Anne Arundel County parents don't want their children to drown -- either physically in the water or academically in crowded classrooms -- because the school system has a tight budget.
That sums up the testimony of some of those who attended last night's hearing on Superintendent Carol S. Parham's proposed $437 million operating budget -- a spending plan that would eliminate a $100,000 drown-proofing program for all fifth-graders.
"Our schools routinely teach children personal hygiene, fire safety, sex ed and drug awareness -- all topics that should be taught at home," said Abby Seeger, one of about 200 people at the hearing and one of about 10 who asked that the drown-proofing program be restored to the budget.
"The bottom line is that this program can save lives. If in the entire tenure of the program one child lives, that money is well spent," Mrs. Seeger told school board members.
JoAnn McGrath, the next parent to testify, told how the county schools' drown-proofing program saved her daughter.
"Two years ago my daughter and her friend walked to the end of our community pier. It was winter, and she slipped on the ice and fell into the water," Mrs. McGrath said.
"She remembered to keep calm, and to keep her feet kicking and moving. She remembered 'Reach, throw, don't go,' and yelled to her friend to get a rope from another boat. If it hadn't been for the drown-proofing class, I don't know what would have happened that day."
Other parents focused on the need to hire more teachers, especially the 24 1/2 special education positions Dr. Parham has proposed at a cost of $648,550.
Chip Yorkgitis has a 3-year-old son who attends Central Special School for students with multiple handicaps.
"On a good day, he functions at the level of a 6- to 9-month-old," Mr. Yorkgitis testified. But last year, the boy was in a class with only one teacher to look after 13 students.
"It's not that the teacher wasn't dedicated. She was," he said. "But there were too many students. On one occasion we observed our son was left crying" because the teacher was too busy with other students.
This year, in a class with four other students, his son is progressing, Mr. Yorkgitis said.
"He's crawling with more confidence. He can use a walker. He's holding a drinking cup. He's holding a fork to his mouth so he can feed himself. We feel that Stephen's little victories are due in part to the low teacher-student ratio," Mr. Yorkgitis said. "And while Stephen presents a unique educational challenge, I would say that smaller class sizes would benefit all students."
Dr. Parham has said her budget is designed to streamline management, increase effectiveness, achieve savings and increase accountability.
The proposed operating budget, which calls for spending $27.8 million more than the current $409 million operating budget, includes $7 million for the Advanced School Automation Project, which is designed to provide computer labs in every school and to link computers in the entire system.
One of the most controversial aspects of Dr. Parham's proposed budget is that it contains 21 fewer positions. The cuts would save $1.1 million in salaries and benefits.
The school board will conduct a second public hearing at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Glen Burnie High School.