Comments on: Cecil County Budget: Commissioners Spread Pain/ Cecil Times Special Report

By: Tina Sharp

Tina Sharp — Mon, 02 May 2011 11:00:26 +0000

The reality is none of what is posted matters; the fact is there is no money. The largest spot on the target will get more hits. Until more than 40% of this county contributes to the tax base, you get what you get.

By: The Chimp

The Chimp — Sun, 01 May 2011 21:21:48 +0000

Mr. Reasin, respectfully I say to you, have you lost your mind? Have you ever heard of our federal government and federal laws REQUIRING public schools to provide certain services whether the local administration agrees with it or not? Please, go directly to the Superintendent or any other administrator and get the facts. After you get educated, feel free to complain enthusiastically to people who can help us out of the spoiled existence this government has created for us.

In the meantime, research the return on investment ranking for CCPS. We are ranked #6 in the state. It’s called doing MORE with LESS. You have no appreciation for the fiscally conservative efforts put in place by CCPS during the past few years??? I find that shocking.

I appreciate your right to take your position at Rts. 40 and 213 and share your views. I respect your position. Please don’t judge others without examining the facts. It lessens your credibility.

For what it’s worth, I walked uphill in both directions, barefoot in the snow, when I attended public school. It didn’t hurt me a bit!

By: Tom Kappra

Tom Kappra — Sun, 01 May 2011 18:49:36 +0000

Al,

You know the numbers: Cecil County Public Schools ranks 19th in cost per student in the state and 18th in wealth. A recent national study ranks CCPS 6th in the state in terms of return on educational investment (spending relative to student achievement).

The Citizens Budget Advisory Committee pointed out the decline in education spending over the past ten years and made several other recommendations to reduce county spending. As they pointed out, some current spending trends cannot be sustained, and specifically cited the growth in General Government as one area of concern. General Government will go up another $.6 million in 2012. How many of the recommendations of the committee were adopted?

In fact, from 2008 to 2012, General Government will have gone up more than the TOTAL CCPS budget:
–General Government $2.2 up 20%
–CCPS appropriation $1.2 up 2%
–CCPS Total Operating $2.0 up 1.8% (prior to the County’s additional cut)

CCPS reduced its budget by over $7.5 million for fiscal 2012 and dramatically reduced baseline spending projections. The administrative services portion will be less than what it was in 2007.

The County’s total spending (excluding reductions in education) continues to increase.