Montgomery Plan Pays Off for Schools; $98.9 Million More Proposed
Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan today is to propose spending almost $100 million more on public education over the next year, focusing much of the increase and other resources on helping the county's most vulnerable children do better in the classroom.</br></br>The proposal is part of Duncan's budget for the coming fiscal year, a $2.6 billion plan that represents an 8.2 percent increase over current spending.</br></br>Duncan (D) is not proposing any tax cuts at a time of large budget surpluses. But his education plan would restore the county's contribution to public schools, as measured by per-pupil spending adjusted for inflation, to the level it reached before recession struck in 1991. The spending plan underscores the influence new School Superintendent Jerry D. Weast had in shaping the county budget, which gives the school system virtually its entire request. Duncan is scheduled to present the budget today during a noon news conference at Twinbrook Elementary School in Rockville.</br></br>The size of the spending increase for education can be attributed partly to a school system plan to keep better track of spending and hold teachers more accountable. Duncan had criticized the school system for not having such a plan in place.</br></br>The increase also comes as a strong economy generates windfalls for local governments, and many regional school systems are benefiting. Fairfax County officials recently proposed a 7 percent increase in the public schools budget. In the District, Mayor Anthony A. Williams (D) has proposed a $5 billion budget that includes an $80 million increase for education.