School officials are again submitting a 1995-1996 budget proposal that they say tries to keep up with the increasing enrollment in Carroll County with little room for new programs or reducing class size.
Superintendent Brian Lockard submitted his proposed $140 million budget to school board members for the first time in a workshop yesterday. His proposal asks for $8.5 million more in county money, which represents an 11.59 percent increase over the county allocation this year. Another $2 million is expected next year in federal and state money.
"Everything is basically for growth," said budget officer Carl Welsh. "There are very few positions in there for improvement."
He said the system expects 728 more students next fall. The proposal asks for 21 more teachers to keep up with the enrollment. More positions are included for special education because more students are qualifying, he said.
Virtually the only improvement suggested in the budget is about $100,000 for five more computer and technology teachers for elementary schools.
The public will have a chance to hear presentations on the budget and comment to the school board at two hearings and an adoption meeting.
The two hearings are at 7:30 p.m. Monday at Runnymede Elementary and Wednesday at Winfield Elementary School. The budget adoption will be at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at Westminster Elementary School.