School Safety, Tech Improvements and More Approved in BOE's $1.7B Budget

The Prince George’s County Board of Education (BOE) has approved a $1.7 billion dollar budget for Fiscal Year 2014, representing at 1.7 percent increase—or $28.9 million—over last year’s budget, according to a statement released by the school system.

The requested budget, which was presented to the BOE by Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) Interim Superintendent Alvin Crawley in December, reflects funds to support staff compensation increases, student-based budgeting increases, and other initiatives.

“This year, we continue to focus on budget priorities that will help ensure our students graduate college and career ready,” Board Chair Verjeana Jacobs (District 5) said in the statement. “Our goal is to meet our students’ needs and invest in our employees, while continuing to focus on innovation and fiscal stability.”

Priorities for the coming year’s budget include:

• Investments into instructional programs like middle college, charter schools, and visual and performing arts
• Compensation programs that will help the county hire and retain top tier teachers
• Safety programs to provide a secure environment for teachers and students
• Support for technology improvements
• Increased funding for the student-based budgeting process

Crawley said this year’s budgeting process was the system’s most transparent to date.

“We received a great deal of public input throughout the process, and I am confident that this budget supports the needs of our students and families,” Crawley said.

The BOE has submitted its requested budget to Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker. Baker is expected to present his budget to the Prince George’s County Council no later than March 31.

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