HoCo Schools Seek Increase In Budget

The Sun's ExploreHoward blog says the schools superintendent is asking for $664.8 million, not counting the cost of staff raises, which can be one of the larger expenses the system faces.

The budget proposal is $8.1 million more than the system's current $656.7 million operating budget -- a 1 percent increase -- and will add seven new teaching positions while not filling nine maintenance and service positions that are currently vacant, Cousin said. No layoffs are contemplated for the school system at this time, Cousin said.

Cousin's plan does not address the issue of staff raises because the school system is currently negotiating with different employee groups, Cousin said. He declined to comment on whether he anticipated raises, citing ongoing negotiations.