Harford County school cuts are too steep

Sean Bulson, superintendent of Harford County Public Schools, presented his overview of school budget changes last week to the board of education (“Parents, teachers, students plead with Harford school board not to cut teachers, administrators,” Feb. 5).

Mr. Bulson said that he was told by Harford County government, presumably County Executive Barry Glassman, that past requests have been “excessive and unjustifiable.” It seemed that Mr. Bulson’s mission has been to propose a severely reduced budget that Mr. Glassman can approve.

It is my opinion, and from the comments of those who spoke at the Board of Education meeting that of many fellow Harford County residents, that past proposals were neither excessive nor unjustifiable, and Mr. Bulson’s request is inadequate. Mr. Bulson emaciated his request to1.3 percent more than last year’s budget. Apparently, no one has called the 6.1 percent funding increase in the sheriff’s office budget, or the 8.8 percent funding increase in the County Council’s budget, “excessive and unreasonable.”

Mr. Bulson’s proposal cuts 153 teaching positions and 26 administrative positions. Clearly, he was brought in to be a hatchet man. He had listening sessions around the county (I attended one) but ignored the brunt of what he heard. He chopped school expenditures despite the public’s support for strengthened public schools.

Mr. Glassman might be happy with this budget, but few others will be. A student at Fallston eloquently stated that “fat from the school budget has been cut year after year, and this new budget proposes cutting off limbs.” On my way home from the meeting, a friend said, “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.”

No budget will be adequate until classroom sizes are reduced. No budget will be adequate until teacher pay meets, or better, exceeds that of surrounding counties. No budget will be adequate until salary promises, including cost-of-living adjustments, are always kept. No budget will be adequate until the arts are fully funded. No budget will be adequate until the Office of Equity and Cultural Proficiency is better equipped to prevent hate, bias and bullying.

Tracey Waite, Bel Air