Last week, the Kent County Commissioners allocated $1.6 million in new funding to the Kent County Public Schools (KCPS). On behalf of the board of education and school community, we extend a warm thank you for their generosity. This funding resolves the expected FY17 budget shortfall. Our current financial challenges are not new; prior administrations and school boards have struggled with the same issues.
In the last decade, KCPS’ enrollment has declined by 868 students and sustained a 50% reduction in state and local funding. Fifty positions have been eliminated in all employee categories, including administration. We have taken steps to become more efficient by sharing county resources in technology and grounds maintenance. In addition we have redirected funds back into the classroom.
For example, $200K was allocated to replace outdated textbooks and new programs were created to address the needs of high-risk students. The purchase of new technology (grades 1 through 10) required dedicated funds from the district, including one-time allocations from the county and other granting agencies. Discovery Education and additional digital resources are providing tools to actively engage students and personalize their learning. The Board of Education’s commitment to early childhood education is demonstrated by our commitment to the full-day universal Pre-Kindergarten open to every 4-year old in the county. Our priorities have been fiscal responsibility, refocusing resources into the classroom, and providing modest salary increases.
No one wants to close neighborhood schools, but with dwindling resources and unsustainable funding, there are fewer options for us to consider. School consolidation and/or elimination of programs and services that directly impact students were equally unpopular. In the past and during FY16 budget development, commissioners voiced their reluctance to increase funding, citing the maintenance of effort law. KCPS understands these constraints and wholeheartedly appreciates their willingness to institutionalize additional funding into our school system.
Despite this immediate funding increase, it is important to emphasize the problems still remain. Kent County has largely become a retirement community and combined with a sluggish economy, the ability to attract young families will not be easy. Local private and public are vying for a very limited and dwindling resource in the community, school-aged children. Without a steady increase or infusion of children into the county, schools cannot exist. Therefore, we must consider next steps.
To begin with, the community must heal and come together to support all KCPS schools. Elevating individual school accomplishments at the expense of those who face greater challenges does little to improve the perception of our school system. Furthermore, celebrating accomplishments while diminishing the progress of schools with greater challenges fails to market the collective talents of our staff. We must be mindful of marketing all schools in the district.
Our schools are aging and we cannot lose sight that capital improvements are still needed. Maryland school districts cannot secure loans nor do we have available resources to fund our own capital improvement projects. More importantly, underutilization of individual schools will make it even more difficult to secure matching state funds. In the absence of state funding, a new funding source must be identified to complete much needed capital improvements in our schools and grounds.
Local governments are taking steps to bring jobs into the county; however, attracting new businesses and families will not happen overnight. KCPS will likely face more challenges until the local economy improves. During the interim and in an effort to avoid closing schools, KCPS will continue to pursue additional cost saving measures that may be unpopular. Supporting our efforts is encouraged.
Finally, a school funding formula study contracted by the Maryland State Department of Education is nearing completion. Our state delegation must introduce legislation to minimize the financial impact to school districts that are experiencing enrollment declines. In addition, while Pre-Kindergarten is mandated for qualifying students, it is not included in the funding formula. Legislation to fund Pre-Kindergarten would provide proportionate increases to all Maryland school districts.
I hope community momentum will be sustained to support our schools and resolve community issues. I encourage parents and stakeholders to stay involved in our schools and attend board of education meetings. We are highly focused on becoming one of the best school districts in Maryland. Help us achieve that goal. It will take collective ideas and county leadership to overcome these challenges.
Karen Couch is Superintendent of the Kent County School District.
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