Budget Battle Erupts in Worcester County as BOE Says Students Will Pay the Price
WORCESTER COUNTY, Md. – The Worcester County Board of Education (BOE) has approved a new revised operating budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 following the County Commissioners’ decision to shortfall requested funding by nearly $2.8 million.
Board President Todd Ferrante feels the Commissioners made it clear that they don’t prioritize public education.
“We ask all the commissioners about questions and concerns, we didn’t see those questions or concerns until they decided not to fund our budget, but really what they are not funding is the students and families of Worcester County, Maryland.”
The cuts include things like cutting iMac replacements, saving ($218,900), cutting increases in substitute pay, saving ($175,000) and cutting the dual enrollment budget, saving ($300,000.)
Commissioner Elder was one of the officials who voted no, and feels the Board of Ed is not properly saving and using the funding efficiently. He wishes for more oversight.
“Where is all the money going? I think someone needs to get that audit moving faster. It’s like, where is the money going? It’s like dumping it into a hole.”
The hot button topic in Worcester County has caused debate throughout the area. Ferrante informed WMDT that the $8.96 million increase is not the issue. The problem arises from the incomplete adoption of the budget that the board meticulously prepared for expenses and outlays.
“If I need $10 dollars, and if you gave me $8, how am I going to afford to buy? I don’t care if you gave me $8, you under-funded me, so I can’t get to where I need to,” said Ferrante.
But according to a former Worcester County Board of Education member, Katie Addis, things are not what they seem.
“The wording being used, for the longest time we have heard budget cuts, well no, their budget has not been cut, they actually have been funded 8.6 million dollars over their budget from last year, so for me that’s not a cut, that’s an increase.”
Commissioners Bunting, Bertino, and Abbott all voted no on the request. Abbott expressed unease because of embezzlement charges against top board officials and insufficient legislative audits.
“Without those answers, I did not feel that in good conscience I could give another dollar over raises,” Abbott emphasizing a similar sentiment that Addis had. “Every year, if we don’t give them an extra penny they ask for, they come up with cuts that get people wound up in the community. This year, it’s pre-K3. Well, I found out none of the pre-K3 is going to be cut.”
Ferrante responds to that, claiming that those charges should not reflect on the entire county. “You shouldn’t hold it against the entire school system because of one individual, one person does not make any organization bad.”
During much of the interview, Ferrante remained passionate and vocal. He expressed disappointment in some commissioners and had a call to action for community members.
“I hope the voters remember this, who supported their school systems, when they go to the polls in June for their primaries.”
