Gazette: Starr proposes $2.28 billion operating budget

...The budget also includes about $977,000 for 15 focus teachers in high schools aimed at helping reduce English and math class sizes in some schools. About $252,000 would create new team leader positions in some elementary schools with high numbers of special education and ESOL students.
Other new staff members in the budget include 5.5 elementary school counselors, four school psychologists and three pupil personnel workers.
The budget would restore eight positions that are part of a group including counselors, staff development teachers, reading specialists and media specialists that were cut in recent years. Eleven of those positions were restored this year.
About $800,000 in budget funds would go toward implementing a program that provides incentives to teachers who stay in or move to a high-needs school.
An additional $300,000 would go toward extra support services to schools in the Innovations and Interviews Schools Networks.
Two components of Starr’s budget remain undetermined. The school system is currently negotiating new contracts with the county teachers union, the Service Employees International Union, Local 500; and the Montgomery County Association of Administrators and Principals. Compensation increases from those contracts have not been factored in the budget yet.

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