[1. CALL TO ORDER]
          [00:00:06]
          EVENING CHAIR CALLS TO ORDER PUBLIC HEARING FISCAL YEAR 25 BUDGET PUBLIC HEARINGS UM THE PURPOSE OF THIS PUBLIC HEARING IS TO HEAR COMMENTS CONCERNING BILL NUMBER 24-0 14, WHICH IS A PROPOSED ANNUAL BUDGET AND APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR HARFORD COUNTY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30TH 2025 AND ALSO RESOLUTION 0 11-24, WHICH PROPOSES TO MAINTAIN THE CURRENT TAX RATE AND RESOLUTION, 0 12-24 , WHICH IS THE CAPITAL PROGRAM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30TH 2025. THROUGH JUNE 30TH 2030 THE COUNCIL WILL ALSO ACCEPT AND WILL CONSIDER WRITTEN TESTIMONY SUBMITTED IN ADDITION TO OR IN LIEU OF VERBAL TESTIMONY. UM M DIXON. WE'RE 
          [2. PUBLIC HEARING COMMENTS]
READY IF YOU ARE YES, MR PRESIDENT. THERE'S 18 SPEAKERS THIS EVENING. I WOULD JUST REMIND EVERYONE TO BE RESPECTFUL OF YOUR COMMENTS IN HERE THIS EVENING. YOU'LL HAVE THREE MINUTES. CALL YOU FIRST SPEAKER. DEBORAH BRADLEY, FOLLOWED BY JOY CLARKE. GOOD EVENING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO, UH, SPEAK TODAY. MY NAME IS DEBBIE BRADLEY. 24 CROCKER DRIVE , BELLA AND I SERVE AS THE HARTFORD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE VICTIM SERVICE COORDINATOR. I AM HERE TO ADDRESS A PRESSING CONCERN REGARDING THE DISPARITY IN THE TREATMENT OF CIVILIAN STAFF IN THE HARPER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE COMPARED TO OTHER EMPLOYEES. RECENTLY IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES AT THE HARTFORD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THE 1% COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT AND $1000 MERIT INCREASES THAT HAVE BEEN GRANTED TO ALL OTHER COUNTY EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING THOSE IN THE STATE'S ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IN THE COURTS. THIS EXCLUSION NOT ONLY UNDERMINES THE PRINCIPLE OF FAIRNESS BUT ALSO SENDS A DISHEARTENING MESSAGE TO ALL CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, IT APPEARS TO OVERLOOK THE DEDICATION AND HARD WORK THAT CIVILIAN STAFF BRING TO THEIR ROLES. EVERY DAY. OUR ROLES ARE CHALLENGING AND NECESSITATE A HIGH LEVEL OF COMMITMENT AND PROFESSIONALISM, QUALITIES THAT DESERVE RECOGNITION AND COMPENSATION EQUAL TO THAT OF OUR PEERS AND OTHER COUNTY DEPARTMENTS. WE ARE INTEGRAL TO THE FABRIC OF POLICE OPERATION. PROVIDING ESSENTIAL SERVICES THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE SAFETY AND WELL BEING OF OUR COMMUNITY. THE DECISION BY THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO EXCLUDE US FROM THESE SALARY ADJUSTMENTS IS DEEPLY CONCERNING THEREFORE, I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY TO EARNESTLY REQUEST THAT YOU DO NOT ENDORSE THIS INEQUITABLE PROPOSAL I URGE YOU TO ADVOCATE FOR AND ENSURE AN EQUITABLE SALARY ADJUSTMENT FOR ALL COUNTY EMPLOYEES INCLUSIVE OF THE CIVILIAN STAFF AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. FAIRNESS AND COMPENSATION IS NOT JUST A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE. IT IS A CRUCIAL FACTOR IN MAINTAINING MORALE AND A SENSE OF VALUE AMONG EMPLOYEES, ENSURING THAT SALARY ENHANCEMENTS ARE UNIFORMLY APPLIED ACROSS ALL LEVELS OF COUNTY EMPLOYMENT FOSTERS A CULTURE OF RESPECT AND UNITY. IT ACKNOWLEDGES THAT EVERY ROLE WHETHER FRONT FACING OR BEHIND THE SCENES CONTRIBUTES VITALLY TO THE OPERATIONS AND SUCCESS OF OUR AGENCY AND COUNTY. I RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT YOU CONSIDER THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE CURRENT PROPOSAL AND TO SEEK A RESOLUTION THAT PROMOTES EQUITY AND FAIRNESS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR CONSIDERING THIS CRITICAL ISSUE THAT AFFECTS THE LIVES AND WELL BEING OF SO MANY DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVANTS. THANK YOU, MA'AM. GOOD EVENING, MA'AM. NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE. HI, JOY. 
          CLARK 418 CRISFIELD DRIVE, ABINGDON. UM, GOOD EVENING, MR PRESIDENT AND COUNCIL MEMBERS AND THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO. MY NAME IS JOY CLARK. I'M THE PRESIDENT OF MC, A CHAPTER 610, ALSO KNOWN AS THE HARFORD COUNTY GENERAL WORKFORCE TONIGHT , I'M BRINGING TO YOUR ATTENTION HARTFORD COUNTY CODE 38.6 RATES AND DUTIES OF CERTIFIED EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIONS. A WHEN AN EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN CERTIFIED SUCH EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIONS SHALL HAVE THE RIGHT AND DUTY THROUGH APPROPRIATE OFFICIALS AND REPRESENTATIVES TO NEGOTIATE COLLECTIVELY WITH THE COUNTY. IT MATTERS TO WAGES, HOURS, WORKING CONDITIONS AND OTHER TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT IN THE REPRESENTATION UNIT FOR US THAT IS PROXIMATELY 486 EMPLOYEES, ALTHOUGH THAT NUMBER IS DECREASING AS JOBS BECOME ABOLISHED. 48.6 READS. NEITHER THE COUNTY NOR ANY EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION SHALL ENGAGE IN ANY UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE AS SET FORTH IN ANY 
          [00:05:03]
APPLICABLE FEDERAL OR STATE LAW. SO ON APRIL 15TH. MR UM, COUNTY EXECUTIVE CALY CALLED ME AT WORK . I WAS DISPATCHING POLICE THAT DAY, BUT I TOOK A QUICK BREAK TO TALK TO HIM. HE REGRETFULLY INFORMED ME OF THE $1000 MERIT AND 1% COLA COST OF LIVING. UM, I EXPRESSED MY DISAPPOINTMENT VERBALLY THAT, UM, HE SEEMED VERY SET ON THESE NUMBERS AS WE HAD NEVER DISCUSSED WAGES AND BENEFITS AT THE BARGAINING TABLE. EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE BEEN GIVING THEM OUR PROPOSALS OVER AND OVER SINCE WE BEGAN IN NOVEMBER OF 2023 AT EVERY SINGLE MEETING FOR SIX MONTHS. WE WERE TOLD THEY WOULD NOT DISCUSS IT. MISTER CAY'S REPLY TO ME WAS WELL, WE'LL LOOK INTO THIS NEXT YEAR. NO WE ARE LOOKING INTO IT THIS YEAR RIGHT NOW. IT IS A CLEAR AND GLARING VIOLATION OF THE HARPER COUNTY CODE AS PREVIOUSLY READ. ADDITIONALLY PART OF THIS BUDGET INCLUDES MUCH MUCH HIGHER RATE WAGE INCREASES FOR DEPARTMENT HEADS, FRIENDS AND EVEN FOR HIMSELF. 
          THERE ARE EVEN ALL NEW POSITIONS CREATED IN THIS BUDGET FOR POLITICAL ALLIES AND FRIENDS, MONEY THAT COULD BE REDIRECTED TO SUPPORT THE HARD WORKING EMPLOYEES WHOSE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING RIGHTS HAVE BEEN IGNORED FOR MANY, MANY YEARS. I'M HERE TO SAY ON BEHALF OF ALL M CE A EMPLOYEES AND I ALREADY WE WANT FAIR COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AND WE WANT FAIR TREATMENT. MY DEAR COUNCIL MEMBERS. IF YOU APPROVE THIS BUDGET, AS IS YOU ARE EFFECTIVELY PARTICIPATING IN THE VIOLATION OF A HARPER COUNTY CODE AND THE VIOLATION OF OUR RIGHTS AS MEMBERS OF MC A 610. PLEASE SEND THIS BUDGET BACK. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. THANK YOU, MA'AM. MELISSA ROMANO, FOLLOWED BY KEVIN TAYLOR. GOOD EVENING, MA'AM. NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE. MELISSA ROMANO 12 CORN FLOUR CIRCLE KINGO, MARYLAND. I AM THE COORDINATOR OF SPECIAL EDUCATION , BIRTH TO FIVE FOR HARVARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. I AM REPRESENTING 1923 CHILDREN WITH AND WITHOUT DISABILITIES AND THEIR FAMILIES BIRTH TO AGE FIVE AND 6014 STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES BIRTH TO AGE 21, AN INCREASE OF 369 STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES WE SERVICE THE PREVIOUS YEAR. LAST YEAR. I SPOKE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THIS FORUM TO ADVOCATE FOR THE HARVARD COUNTY BUDGET, ALTHOUGH VERY NERVOUS AND UNSURE OF WHETHER I MADE A DIFFERENCE. I FELT HEARD, AND I WAS VERY THANKFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN ADVOCATING FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR HARTFORD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. LIKE LAST YEAR. I'M SPEAKING TODAY TO IMPLORE YOU TO VETO THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S BUDGET. IF H GPS DOES NOT OH, MY , I'M NERVOUS NOW DOES NOT RECEIVE FUNDING FOR OUR BUDGET REQUESTS. HCPS WILL HAVE TO CONSIDER STAFFING ALLOCATIONS THAT WILL HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON OUR STUDENTS AND CREATE UNSAFE AND INEFFECTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS. OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF NEED THE FUNDING WITH OUR GROWING NEEDS TO PROVIDE SAFE, EQUITABLE AND EFFECTIVE PROGRAMS FOR ALL CHILDREN. HARPER POUND HARFORD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. OK? CALM DOWN. I I'M NEVER LIKE THIS NERVOUS. HARVARD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAS SEEN AN INCREASED NUMBER OF CHILDREN WITH COMPLEX NEEDS, ESPECIALLY YOUNG CHILDREN. THESE NEEDS INCLUDE SELF CARE, SUCH AS TOILE , FUNCTIONAL COMMUNICATION, SELF REGULATION AND LEARN A READINESS SKILLS TO EXPAND ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY SAFE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS. HARTFORD COUNTY HAS BEEN EXPANDING, SUPPORTS AND SERVICES THAT ARE DESPERATELY NEEDED TO ADDRESS THE COMPLEX NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS BIRTH TO FIVE AND TO AND TO 21 WITH AND WITHOUT DISABILITIES. WE NEED ADDITIONAL TEACHING AND SUPPORT STAFF POSITIONS TO ADDRESS THE COMPLEX NEEDS OF OUR GROWING POPULATION OF CHILDREN WITH AND WITHOUT DISABILITIES DURING OUR CURRENT FISCAL CLIMATE AND HIRING CHALLENGES WITH RECRUITING SPECIAL EDUCATORS AND SPECIAL ED, UH, SUPPORT PERSONNEL, WE ALSO NEED TO CONSIDER HOW WE ARE COMPENSATING STAFF WHO ARE SUPPORTING SPECIAL EDUCATION. NEIGHBORING COUNTIES HAVE INCREASED COMPENSATION OF SPECIAL EDUCATORS WITH BONUSES AS WELL AS PROVIDED SUPPORT FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION CASE MANAGEMENT REQUIRED BY FEDERAL AND STATE LAWS. HARFORD COUNTY WILL LOSE ITS CURRENT SPECIAL ED PROVIDERS TO OTHER COUNTIES IF WE DO NOT ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE AND ALLOCATE APPROPRIATE STAFF TO STUDENT RATIOS TO SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS, SAFELY AND EFFECTIVELY , OUR STUDENTS NEED SUFFICIENTLY TRAINED, WELL COMPENSATED STAFF TO SUPPORT THEIR ACADEMIC, ADAPTIVE AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL NEEDS WITHOUT ADEQUATE FUNDING. WE WILL CREATE INEFFECTIVE, UNSAFE LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS FOR OUR STUDENTS AND STAFF. THIS WILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT NEGATIVE IMPACT ON OUR STUDENTS, STAFF, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES. THANK YOU. CONSIDERING OUR REQUEST TO OPPOSE THE COUNTY EXECUTIVES BUDGET AND ADVOCATE FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO SUPPORT THE HARTFORD COUNTY PROPOSED BUDGET, YOUR ADVOCACY WILL MAKE A POSITIVE AND SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND OUR STAFF. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MA'AM. MAY I REMIND ALL OF YOU 
          [00:10:04]
THAT THERE WILL BE NO OUTBURST? NO APPLAUDING. THANK YOU. CALL YOU NEXT SPEAKER. KEVIN TAYLOR 926. EDMUND STREET. ABERDEEN, MARYLAND. MY NAME IS KEVIN TAYLOR. I'M HAVE BEEN A RESIDENT OF HARTFORD COUNTY FOR FIF. OVER 50 YEARS I'VE BEEN EMPLOYED WITH THE HARFORD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE 1993. IN 2017. I RETIRED AND BECAME A CIVILIAN AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. WE ARE CIVILIANS AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE ARE UNDERPAID, UNDERVALUED AND UNDERAPPRECIATED. IT WAS, IT WAS DISHEARTENING TO LEARN THAT PROPOSED BUDGET PROVIDES RAISE FOR SWORN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CORRECTION OFFICERS, NOTHING FOR CIVILIANS. COUNTY EMPLOYEES ARE BEING OFFERED 1% COLA. 1000 MERIT INCREASE. THE SHERIFF PROPOSED BUDGET WAS FOR A MERIT AND A COAL OF, HOWEVER, OF THE COUNTY EXEC DECLINED TO DO THIS. THE CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES AT THE HARTFORD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE ARE HELD TO THE SAME STANDARDS AS LAW ENFORCEMENT. THE MEN AND WOMEN ARE HOLD VARIOUS CERTIFICATIONS CLEARANCES THAT ARE REQUIRED TO WORK. SHERIFF'S OF CIVILIANS ARE HIGHLY TRAINED AND MUST BE CERTIFIED TO ALLOW THEM TO ACCESS DATABASES SUCH AS NC IC DASHBOARD AKRON LINK. THE JOB. THE CIVILIAN MEMBERS OF THE AGENCY PERFORM CAN HAVE A DIRECT IMPACT OF OFFICER SAFETY NOT ONLY TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO OTHER POLICE OFFICERS ACROSS THE STATE AND THE NATION. MEANING THIS POSITION IS NOT A 9 TO 5. OH, MUST ALWAYS BE AVAILABLE. WE WORK WEEKENDS. WORK HOLIDAYS. SNOW COMES, WE WORK. MANY OF THE CIVILIANS WERE ALREADY UNPAID. 
          WE JUST LISTED A JOB. RECORDS FOR $18.42 ON OUR WEBSITE AND WE'VE HAD SEVERAL COMMENTS FROM PEOPLE ON THERE THAT TEENAGERS MAKE MORE THAN THAT AT THE FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS. SOME OF THEM OF YOU MAY SEE THIS IS A SIMPLY COMPLAINING HOW OR THIS IS NOT A CASE, A CASE STUDY WAS CONDUCTED. EVERY THREE YEARS. RESULTS SHOW THAT THE HARFORD COUNTY EMPLOYEES SALARIES ARE UNDER THE MARKET. EVEN WITH THE RAISES GIVEN BY MR CASSIDY AND FISCAL YEAR 2024. IF THE COUNTY EXEC DOES NOT THINK THE HARFORD COUNTY SHOULD BE INCLUDED. AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE PAY STUDIES AND HE ISN'T INCLUDING US IN THE COUNTY P STUDIES. WHERE DO WE FALL? WHO'S GONNA LOOK OUT FOR US. AND EVEN BETTER QUESTION IS WHY 161 CIVILIANS ARE BEING LEFT OUT. UH, COMPLETELY. WHEN I WAS A DEPUTY WITH THE HARTFORD COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, WE DIDN'T RECEIVE A RAISE FOR SEVEN OR EIGHT YEARS. TRYING TO RAISE A FAMILY OF SEVEN WITH NO RAISES AND MINIMAL OVERTIME IS VERY HARD. MOST OF MY COWORKERS SOLELY DEPEND ON THIS PAY FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. AND WITH A 4% 4.1% INFLATION RATE FOR 2023 AND A PROJECTED 3.1% PROJECT RATE FOR 2024. HOW DO WE EXPECT THEM TO SURVIVE? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. HOPEFULLY, THIS HELPS. YOU UNDERSTAND THE FRUSTRATIONS WE'RE GOING THROUGH. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, SIR. EARN A WHITE, FOLLOWED BY BRIANNA COLEMAN. GOOD EVENING, MA'AM. NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE. 
          VERNA WHITE BALDWIN, MARYLAND. I'M A TAXPAYER PLUS PLUS PLUS. MOST MY AGE ARE ABOVE ABOVE. ARE UNABLE TO DEFEND THEIR EVER INCREASING LAND TAXES WITH 55% PLUS OF TAXES GOING TO EDUCATION. WE THE TAXPAYERS ARE GOING TO DEMAND PRODUCTIVITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY. HARTFORD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND POLICE. SECURITY USED TO BE THE BEST AND IT WAS A REASONABLE BUDGET. NOW HARTFORD COUNTY EDUCATION IS GOING THE WAY UP, DOWN, DOWN DOWN LOOK AT BALTIMORE COUNTY AND BALTIMORE CITY. WE STILL DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY AND PRODUCTIVITY. THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH MONEY STATE OF MARYLAND CUT IT OUT. WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE, UH, TOP PEOPLE ON THE BOARD OF EDUCATION. UM NOT THEM. BUT THE SUPERINTENDENT AND THE SCHOOL LEADERS WANT TO GIVE THEM A 30 TO 50% CUT IN SALARY AND GIVE THAT TO THE TEACHERS, THE ONES WHO SPEND TIME IN THE CLASSROOM WITH THE STUDENTS THAT REALLY CARE ABOUT THEM. UM, THE TEST RESULTS ARE NOT THAT GREAT GUYS. I FEEL THAT THE PRESENT LEADERS ARE NOT LEADING. THEY'RE JUST TALKING AND TAKING FOR VISUAL LEARNERS. MY SHIRT CHOSE A SCHOOL OF FISH SWIMMING TOGETHER IN UNITY OF PURPOSE AND PROTECTION. LAND TAXPAYERS OF HARTFORD COUNTY. LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD. WE DON'T MIND IF IT IF YOU GIVE US PRODUCTIVITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY AND THE TEST RESULTS GO UP, BUT YOU NEED TO GET RID OF PROGRAMS THAT DON'T BENEFIT THE STUDENTS AND IT HURTS OVER TAXED CITIZENS. 
          PLEASE USE SOME GREAT PROGRAMS AT THE PRIVATE SCHOOLS USE THEY'RE GETTING EXCELLENT 
          [00:15:02]
RESULTS. A LOT OF PARENTS HAVE GONE THAT WAY. I TRIED TO FIND A MOUSE OR A RATCHET, BUT THEY'RE NOT AROUND ANY MORE. SO I GUESS I'M JUST SWIMMING IN UNITY. FISH THAT ARE EDUCATION WILL BECOME VALUABLE AND CHANGE THE FUTURE OF OUR STUDENTS. WITH TAXPAYERS STRETCHED MORE AND MORE ESPECIALLY RETIRED ONCE AGAIN. WE PLEASE GIVE A STUDENT PROGRESS, ACCOUNTABILITY AND PRODUCTIVITY. I KNOW IT'S NOT YOU. I KNOW IT'S YOUR LEADERS, BUT IF LEADERS AREN'T LEADING. 
          MAYBE WE NEED YOU THE BOTTOM TEACHERS AND MIDDLE TEACHERS TO DO THE WORK. LAND TAXPAYERS ARE BECOMING LESS AND LESS USERS FOR YOUR UNLIMITED PAYEES ARE BECOMING MORE AND MORE AND WE'RE TAXED MORE AND MORE. CAN ONLY BE STRETCHED SO FAR. IT'S JUST LIKE OUR ROADS. TRY TO GET HERE FROM ROUTE 11 52 1 65 1 36. I USED TO BE ABLE TO USE MY ROADS. NOW I CAN'T. IT'S TO FIND A PARKING SPACE OR TO USE THE ROAD, THE BACK ROADS UM, I'VE BEEN HERE FOR 50 PLUS YEARS AND I'VE MEET MANY A COUNCILMAN. THEY ALL PROMISED US, YOU KNOW, MORE MONEY AND MORE ED. BETTER EDUCATION, AND THEY'RE NOT HERE NOW. WE HAD TO LIVE WITH THE RESULTS OF WHAT THEY DID. UM THE LAST QUOTE I HAVE IS ON A SHIRT. I HAVE UP FRONT, IT SAYS THE LORD GIVETH AND THE HARVARD COUNTY COUNCIL HAS TO TAKE AWAY JUST SO IT'S FAIR. UM I WAS A TEACHER IN HARTFORD COUNTY. I WAS VERY PROUD OF IT. I'M PROUD OF TEACHERS, TEACHERS THAT STAY LATE AND CARE ABOUT THE KIDS SPEND WEEKENDS AND NIGHTS AND SELF CARING ABOUT THEM. I THINK IT'S TIME FOR THOSE TEACHERS TO STAND UP TO THOSE ABOVE THEM AND SAY, IF YOU'RE NOT PRODUCTIVE, THEN MAYBE YOU SHOULD GO ELSEWHERE. THE TEACHERS DESERVE THEIR PAY FOR A GOOD JOB, AND I AM PROUD OF HARTFORD COUNTY. AND I STILL LIKE THE COUNTY COUNCIL PEOPLE NOW, BUT I SURE DO MISS THE ONES THAT SAID FOLLOW THE MONEY TRAIL. THANK YOU, MA'AM. GOOD EVENING, MA'AM. NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE. GOOD EVENING, BRIANNA COLEMAN 2347. ROAD. UH, GOOD EVENING COUNCIL MEMBERS TONIGHT. MY DAUGHTER AND I ARE BOTH HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR SOMETHING. WE BOTH STRONGLY SUPPORT, WHICH IS MIDDLE SCHOOL SPORTS. IT'S DISHEARTENING TO SEE IT LISTED AS A BUDGET CUT. I'VE WITNESSED FIRSTHAND THE NUMEROUS POSITIVE IMPACTS THIS PROGRAM HAS ON MIDDLE SCHOOLERS COUNTYWIDE CUTTING IT WOULD YIELD MINIMAL COST SAVINGS AND DEPRIVE STUDENTS OF ITS BENEFITS, WHICH SIMPLY DOESN'T ADD UP. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS COUNCIL DOESN'T DECIDE HOW THE BOARD OF EDUCATION ALLOCATES FUNDING, BUT IT'S FRUSTRATING TO SEE TEACHERS AND STUDENTS CONSTANTLY BEARING THE BRUNT OF BUDGET SHORTFALLS. THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE INITIALLY PROMISED A 5% INCREASE. FOR THE SCHOOLS STARTING IN JULY, BUT NOW THERE'S NO INCREASE AT ALL. CURRENTLY OUR SCHOOLS ARE FUNDED $10 MILLION LESS THAN LAST YEAR, SETTING A CONCERNING TREND. I URGE OUR LEADERS TO HONOR THE PROMISED INCREASE AND STRIVE TO MAINTAIN FUNDING LEVELS FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR. I ATTENDED ONE OF THE BUDGET MEETINGS AND FORMER COUNTY EXECUTIVE BARRY GLASSMAN WAS IN ATTENDANCE. IT'S WORTH NOTING THAT DECISIONS MADE IN THE PAST BY MR GLASSMAN AND THE COUNCIL AT THE TIME, WHICH TWO OF YOU WERE ON INCLUDED A FIVE CENT PROPERTY TAX CUT, WHICH AT THE TIME MAY HAVE MADE SENSE BUT TO DAY THAT DECISION HAS CONTRIBUTED TO OUR CURRENT FUNDING SHORTFALL BY AN ESTIMATED $20 MILLION LOSS IN REVENUE. AND HERE WE ARE FUNDING OUR SCHOOLS $10 MILLION LESS THAN THE YEAR BEFORE AND FLAT. MANY, IF NOT ALL, DEPARTMENTS. IT'S ALARMING THAT OUR ONLY SOLUTION TO A BUDGET DEFICIT IS SIGNIFICANT CUTS TO SERVICES THAT MAKE OUR COMMUNITY WHAT IT IS. WHAT WE NEED IS INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO REVENUE GENERATION AND AS THE TAXPAYER. I'M DEEPLY DISAPPOINTED THAT OUR COMMUNITY LEADER LEADERS STRUGGLE TO UNITE FOR THE GREATER GOOD. I DON'T KNOW ANY ONE THAT'S ASKING FOR A COMMUNICATION VIA SOCIAL MEDIA POST AND PRESS RELEASES. I HAVE COME HERE MANY TIMES SPEAKING ABOUT DEVELOPMENT, WHICH WAS ANOTHER BUZZWORD DURING THE BUDGET MEETINGS, PEOPLE MAY MAKE ASSUMPTIONS THAT MANY ARE ANTI DEVELOPMENT AND I CAN ONLY SPEAK FOR MYSELF BUT I AM ADVOCATING FOR RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT BECAUSE GROWTH SHOULD PAY FOR GROWTH, AND IT'S NEVER BEEN CLEARER THAN IT IS TODAY. THAT IT HASN'T BEEN. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. THANK YOU, MA'AM. NOW A HUTTON, FOLLOWED BY MEGAN FITZGERALD. GOOD EVENING, SIR. 
          NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE. NO I HAD IN 5123 VIADUCT AVENUE. HALETHORPE MARYLAND 21227. SO I'M BORN AND RAISED IN HARPER COUNTY. I'VE BEEN TEACHING AT EDW HIGH SCHOOL FOR NINE YEARS. 
          I LIKE THE COUNTY. I LIKE WORKING IN HERE. UM BUT THE BUDGET CUTS THAT WE'VE RECEIVED OVER THE LAST TWO YEAR WELL LAST YEAR AND THEN WHAT IS PROPOSED FOR THIS YEAR IS HAVING DRAMATIC IMPACTS IN OUR CLASSROOM. UM MANY OF THE TEACHERS ARE UNSURE IF THEY'RE GONNA COME BACK 
          [00:20:05]
BECAUSE OF THESE SHORTFALLS, BECAUSE, UM ARE OUR CONTENTS ARE GETTING CUT AND THEY'RE THEY'RE FUNDING LEVEL. WE JUST WERE INFORMED THAT THE SCIENCE BUDGET IS GETTING CUT BY ABOUT 60% SO WE'RE GONNA LOSE A LOT OF OUR, UM UH, RESOURCES THAT WE GET THROUGH, UH, SOFTWARE TO SHOW THE STUDENTS THINGS INTERACTIVELY THAT WE CAN'T SHOW , UM, LOGISTICALLY IN THE CLASSROOM TO SEE A THREE DIMENSIONALLY AND JUST KIND OF SEE IT VISUALLY, UM, AND THEN A LOT OF TEACHERS ARE CONCERNED THAT WE MIGHT GO BACK TO HOW IT WAS, UH, PREVIOUSLY BEFORE I STARTED TEACHING WHERE WE HAD SEVEN YEARS WITHOUT A RAISE OR A COLA. UM SO A LOT OF TEACHERS ARE ALREADY STARTING TO TALK ABOUT THAT AND ARE GETTING VERY CONCERNED AND THE STUDENTS ARE DEFINITELY NOTICING THE STUDENTS SENSE THE BUDGET. CONVERSATIONS REALLY STARTED IN JANUARY. 
          BEHAVIORS HAVE CHANGED. SOME STUDENTS ARE STARTING TO ASK TEACHERS. ARE YOU COMING BACK? ARE YOU SURE YOU'RE GONNA COME BACK? HOW LONG ARE YOU GONNA STAY? UM WHICH OF OUR SERVICES ARE GONNA BE CUT? WHICH OF OUR ELECTIVES ARE NO LONGER GOING TO BE TAUGHT BECAUSE THEY ARE WATCHING AND THEY ARE AWARE OF WHAT'S HAPPENING. WE ALSO HAD AN EXTRA SECURITY. UM LEON IN OUR BUILDING OVER THE COURSE OF THE WINTER, WHICH WAS EXTREMELY HELPFUL TO CUT DOWN ON STUDENTS IN THE HALLWAY. UM KIND OF HELP SOME STUDENTS WHO MIGHT HAVE SOME, UH, ANXIETY THAT WE NEED TO THE BUILDING TO KIND OF HELP SHOW THEM AROUND, AND WE DON'T HAVE THAT ANYMORE. AND SO NOW, THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN OUR HALLWAYS INCREASED. UM THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO JUST ARE APATHETIC AND AREN'T VALUING EDUCATION, LIKE MANY OF US DO IS ALSO INCREASING. SO I JUST URGE YOU TO TRY AND DO WHATEVER YOU CAN TO HELP WITH THE BUDGET AND I UNDERSTAND YOUR HANDS ARE KIND OF TIED TO A CERTAIN EXTENT. SO IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO TO KIND OF PLAN FOR NEXT YEAR WITH THE IDEA THAT THIS MIGHT BE THE SAME EXACT ROAD WE'RE ON NEXT YEAR, ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO TRY AND, UM, STOP THE FALLING WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL AND APPRECIATED. THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO, AND GOOD LUCK. THANK YOU, SIR. GOOD EVENING, MA'AM. NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE. GOOD EVENING, SIR. MY NAME IS MEGAN FITZGERALD. MY ADDRESS IS 3913 LONGLEY ROAD, ABINGDON AND I WISH I HAD SOMETHING MORE PREPARED TONIGHT. UM FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU, ALL OF YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO FOR THE COURAGE AND HUMILITY THAT I KNOW YOU SHOW IN REPRESENTING ALL OF US AND TRYING TO, UM MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE A COUNTY THAT THRIVES AND NOT JUST SURVIVES, AND I USE THAT WORD VERY SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTY WHO ARE JUST BARELY SURVIVING. AND A LOT OF THOSE PEOPLE HAVE THEIR CHILDREN IN HARTFORD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 
          AND I HAD A LONG CONVERSATION TODAY WITH A FRIEND OF MINE ABOUT HOW TO ADDRESS POVERTY, AND MY PERSONAL OPINION IS THROUGH EDUCATION. AND WE NEED TO SUPPORT THAT EDUCATION. AND IF WE HAVE A POPULATION IN HARTFORD COUNTY THAT'S GROWING. UM IT SEEMS TO FOLLOW THAT WE WOULD ALSO BE REQUIRED TO PAY MORE MONEY BECAUSE THERE'S MORE PEOPLE. UM AND YOU KNOW, I MIGHT BE SPEAKING COMPLETELY OUT OF TURN. BUT I GUESS THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WOULD CONSIDER IS, YOU KNOW WHAT IS THE TAX SITUATION AND IS IT SET UP TO ADEQUATELY? PROVIDE FOR THE NUMBER OF CITIZENS THAT WE HAVE. MORE SPECIFICALLY, I WAS LOOKING AT STATISTICS REGARDING SPECIAL EDUCATION AND YOU KNOW, LAST YEAR, THE BLUEPRINT BUDGETED FOR A MILLION DOLLARS FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION, TRANSPORTATION. AND HCPS ENDED UP SPENDING BETWEEN 10 AND $11 MILLION SO THERE ARE DEFINITELY ASPECTS OF THE BLUEPRINT THAT DON'T NECESSARILY LINE UP WITH THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF HARTFORD COUNTY AND I GET THAT AND I GET THAT THAT'S NOT YOURS TO CONTROL. UM HOWEVER, WE HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE. WE HAVE TO COME TO THE TABLE. I WANT TO HAVE FAITH IN EACH OF YOU THAT YOU'RE CONSIDERING THE WELL BEING OF EVERY SINGLE CITIZEN IN YOUR COUNTY. EVERY SINGLE ONE. 
          SO TO THAT END, MAKING SURE THAT ALL OF OUR CHILDREN HAVE SAFE AND EQUITABLE EDUCATION THAT'S PROVIDED BY A FULLY FUNDED BUDGET. UM I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I SET EVERYTHING THAT I MADE NOTES ABOUT. THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS THAT NEED TO BE FIXED. THERE'S SO MANY AVENUES THAT NEED TO BE UM, TRAVERSED IN ORDER TO START MAKING SENSE OF HOW DO WE SATISFY ALL THE NEEDS 
          [00:25:07]
OF THE COUNTY AND I'M NOT EXPECTING ALL OF THAT TO FALL ON YOUR SHOULDERS. WHAT I AM HOPING IS THAT YOU WILL MAKE CONSCIOUS DECISIONS AND CONSCIENTIOUS ADVISEMENTS TO THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE WITH THE CARE AND CONCERN OF EVERY SINGLE ONE OF OUR CHILDREN. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MA'AM. DAVID BAUER, FOLLOWED BY KELLY FONGER. GOOD EVENING, SIR. NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE. GOOD EVENING. I'M DAVID BAUER 2952 KIRKWALL COURT. SO I'M HERE TO COMMENT ON THE BUDGET. SO LET'S BEGIN WITH SOME NUMBERS BACK SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, MR CALY SAID HE WOULD ALLOCATE ROUGHLY $20 MILLION TO INCREASE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND SHE'S OFFICE FUNDING ABOUT 5% EACH. UM ABOUT 5 15 MILLION FOR THE SCHOOL SYSTEM 5 MILLION INCREASE FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. BUT THEN WE GOT SOME BAD NEWS ON STATE REVENUE AT $13 MILLION DECREASE, ALTHOUGH IT'S ONLY ABOUT 4.4 MILLION COMPARED TO THE BUDGETED AMOUNT. MISTER CALEY SAID HE WOULD NO LONGER BE ABLE TO GIVE THE FULL FIVE PER CENT INCREASE. INSTEAD HIS BUDGET PROPOSAL HAS ZERO INCREASE FOR THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND A 7.7% INCREASE FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. IF THIS IS AN ACT IF THIS BILL IS ENACTED, THEN ACROSS MR CASS TWO BUDGETS, PUBLIC SAFETY WILL SEE AN INCREASE OF 23% 2 MONTHS WHILE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WILL SEE A DECREASE OF 9.4 MILLION IN ITS OPERATING ALLOCATION. OVERALL TO MAKE SENSE OF THIS BUDGET, YOU HAVE TO DISBELIEVE PARTS OF IT. FOR EXAMPLE, IF WE REALLY EXPECT THE COUNTY IS UNASSIGNED FUND BALANCE TO BE LESS THAN $3 MILLION BY THE END OF NEXT FISCAL YEAR THAN TO PASS THIS BUDGET, AS IS WOULD BE FISCAL MALPRACTICE. ON THE OTHER HAND, IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE THAT THE BUDGET SYSTEM THAT THE BUDGET SITUATION IS SO DIRE THAN TO FLAT FUND ALL OF THE EDUCATION ENTITIES IS ALSO MALPRACTICE. IF YOU THINK THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE, THE LIBRARY SYSTEM AND THE SCHOOL SYSTEM SHOULD USE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF THEIR FUND BALANCE TO PAY FOR RECURRING OPERATING EXPENSES THAN SET UP MEETINGS AND TALK WITH THEM ABOUT WHAT LEVEL OF FUN BALANCE YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH. AND THEN YOU CAN HAVE A SERIOUS DISCUSSION ABOUT CANCELING MISTER GLASSMAN'S TAX CUT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT LEVEL OF FUNDING PUBLIC SAFETY NEEDS. IT MAY BE THAT THEY NEED EVEN MORE THAN CALE'S PROPOSAL. I DO KNOW THAT THE LIBRARY SYSTEM HAD TO CUT SERVICES. I KNOW THE SCHOOL SYSTEM SHORTFALL IS WORSE THIS YEAR THAN LAST YEAR, WHICH YOU WERE TOLD WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. AND IT IS LIKELY TO BE EVEN WORSE NEXT YEAR, ESPECIALLY IF THEY HAVE TO USE THE MAJORITY OF THEIR FUND BALANCE TO GET THROUGH NEXT SCHOOL YEAR. I ALSO KNOW THAT THE PORTION OF THE COUNTY'S GENERAL FUND ALLOCATED TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM IS WAY DOWN FROM WHERE IT USED TO BE. I EMAILED YOU ALL GRAPH OF THAT PRIOR TO THE MEETING. THANK YOU ALL. THANK YOU, SIR. GOOD EVENING, MA'AM. NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE. HELLO MY NAME IS KELLY FONER. I LIVE AT 80. EAST BROADWAY. BEL AIR. I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE A HARD JOB OF HAD A. YOU KNOW, I DO NOT ENVY THAT JOB. I ASK YOU TO USE YOUR POWER TO ASK THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO FUND UM TO FIND HIS, UM, PROMISED FUNDING. IN A COUNTY WITH ALL THESE CONSTRUCTION PROBLEMS ARE PROJECTS. I CANNOT FATHOM HOW WE ARE PROJECTING AND DECREASE IN REVENUE. I'M NOT ASKING YOU TO TAKE MONEY FROM ANY OTHER GROUP. STRONG COMMUNITIES NEED EDUCATION. PUBLIC SAFETY AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES. UM TO ATTRACT PEOPLE TO CONTINUE TO LIVE IN A COMMUNITY AND CONSIDER MOVING HERE WITH THE CURRENT CUTS IN FUNDING. UM CUTS TO PROGRAMS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN. I WORRY ABOUT SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDENTS WHO REQUIRE SMALL GROUP INSTRUCTION ON HOW TO LEARN AND HOW HCPS IS GOING TO DO THIS WITH A $40 MILLION SHORTFALL. I KNOW I KNOW WE ARE DOING THE BEST WITH WHAT WE CAN. BUT THE CONSTANT 
          [00:30:01]
UNDERFUNDING IS HURTING OUR STUDENTS. I ASK YOU TO ADVOCATE FOR THE 5% INCREASE THAT WAS PROMISED. THANK YOU, MA'AM. CINDY PAUPER, FOLLOWED BY STEPHANIE DOW. GOOD EVENING, MA'AM. NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE. CINDY PAUPER 952 ANGEL VALLEY COURT NORTH GOOD EVENING. I'D LIKE TO BEGIN WITH SOME THANK YOUS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ADVOCACY FOR HARFORD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS LAST YEAR IT HELPED AND MEANT A GREAT DEAL. THANK YOU FOR BEING POLITE AND RESPECTFUL LISTENERS. IT IS A DAUNTING PROCESS FOR MANY TO SPEAK BEFORE ELECTED OFFICIALS AND IT HELPS WHEN THE PEOPLE YOU ARE SPEAKING TO ACTUALLY LOOK UP AND ACKNOWLEDGE YOU. FINALLY THANK YOU FOR BEING THE ONES THAT ARE WILLING TO LISTEN AND TAKE THE HEAT FOR SOMETHING THAT IS NOT EVEN YOUR DOING. AS OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE FEEL HEARD AND ACKNOWLEDGED. UNFORTUNATELY THANK YOUS AND PLATITUDES WILL NOT FIX THE PREDICAMENT. WE ARE CURRENTLY IN. BACK IN JANUARY, THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE PROMISED HCPS AND H CSO, A 5% INCREASE IN THEIR FUNDING FROM LAST YEAR, WHILE NOT WOULD EITHER ENTITY REALLY NEEDS IT WAS A START. IT WAS MORE THAN NOTHING. THEN REVENUE ESTIMATES CAME IN AND SUDDENLY A $13 MILLION POTENTIAL REDUCTION IN REVENUE BECAME AN UNMITIGATED DISASTER. ONE WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT THE COUNTY WAS LOSING 25 TO 50% OF ITS REVENUE BASED ON THE GLOOM AND DOOM COMMENTS THAT WERE BANTERED ABOUT IN FACT, THE 13 MILLION IS NOW CLOSER TO NINE. AND IT IS IN FACT LESS THAN 1.25% OF THE COUNTY'S OPERATING BUDGET AND A ROUNDING ERROR IN THE $1.2 BILLION OVERALL BUDGET. YET THIS WAS ALL THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE NEEDED TO BACK OFF FROM HIS PROMISE. TYPICAL POLITICS, SAY MANY I SAY NO, NOT TYPICAL POLITICS. I SAY THIS IS A MAN THAT DOES NOT KEEP HIS WORD WHO LOOKS FOR LOOPHOLES TO BACK OFF PROMISES HE MAKES TO CONSTITUENTS WHO SPEAKS WITH FORKED TONGUE AND MAN THAT CANNOT AND SHOULD NOT BE TRUSTED. TO TOP IT OFF. THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE THEN COMPARED THE COUNTY BUDGET TO MANAGING A FAMILY BUDGET. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY FAMILIES GIVE THEMSELVES A 10% SALARY INCREASE AND ASK OTHER MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY TO BE HAPPY WITH ONE PER CENT. I DON'T KNOW OF ANY FAMILY THAT ASKS OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS TO DEPLETE THEIR SAVINGS ON ONGOING MONTHLY EXPENSES WHILE KEEPING A TIGHT FIST ON THEIR OWN. I COULD GO ON. BUT THE ANALOGY IS JUST STUPID AND AN INSULT TO EVERY TAXPAYER AND FAMILY IN THIS COUNTY. WHEN I WILL FOCUS ON IS THE COMMITMENT THAT THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE MADE TO THE CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTY. HE PUT HIS WORD AND HIS CREDIBILITY ON THE TABLE . NO ONE FORCED HIM TO MAKE THOSE COMMITMENTS. IT IS TIME THAT THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE MAKE GOOD ON HIS COMMITMENT TO INCREASE FUNDING TO HCP S. NO EXCUSES, NO LOOPHOLES, NO SMOKE AND MIRRORS, PLAIN AND SIMPLE. 
          INCREASED THE FUNDING BY 5. I'M ASKING YOU TO BE THE CONSCIENCE OF THE COUNTY AND PRESSURE THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO MAKE GOOD ON HIS PROMISES AND COMMITMENTS AND AMEND HIS BUDGET TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR HCPS AS HE PROMISED. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MA'AM. GOOD EVENING, MA'AM. NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE. STEPHANIE DOW, 110, J. ROYAL OAK DRIVE, BEL AIR MARYLAND. MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL TODAY. I STAND BEFORE YOU NOT JUST AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM, BUT AS A VOICE FOR A GROUP THAT IS OFTEN OVERLOOKED IN OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM, THE CLERICAL STAFF OF ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS AND OFFICES MORE FITTINGLY RECOGNIZED AS ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANCE, TECHNICIANS AND SPECIALISTS AT THIS TIME. IT IS A COMMON MISCONCEPTION THAT OUR ROLES ARE LIMITED TO ANSWERING PHONES, TAKING MESSAGES, PERHAPS SENDING EMAILS AND SCHEDULING MEETINGS. 
          HOWEVER THE REALITY OF OUR CONTRIBUTION IS MUCH BROADER AND MORE SIGNIFICANT. WE ARE, FOR MANY THE FIRST POINT OF CONTACT WITHIN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM EMBODYING THE FACE OF EDUCATION IN OUR COMMUNITIES. OUR TASKS EXTEND BEYOND THE CLERICAL DELVING INTO THE REALMS OF STUDENT SUPPORT, ADMINISTRATIVE CO ORDINATION AND EVEN TECHNOLOGICAL TROUBLESHOOTING. 
          YET DESPITE THAT MULTIFACETED ROLE, THERE REMAINS A SUBSTANTIAL GAP IN THE RECOGNITION AND RESPECT ACCORDED TO US, PARTICULARLY IN THE MATTERS OF JOB SECURITY AND COMPENSATION. THIS OVERSIGHT IS NOT ONLY NOT ONLY UNDERMINES OUR POSITION, BUT THE DETRACTS FROM THE COLLECTIVE EF EFFICACY OF OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM. THE BUDGET PROPOSAL BY THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE WHICH NOT ONLY THREATENS TO FURTHER MARGINALIZE OUR ROLES AND JEOPARDIZE OUR 
          [00:35:07]
PREDI POSITIONS, STANDS IN DIRECT OPPOSITION TO THE VALUES OF A SUPPORTIVE AND INCLUSIVE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT. I CALL UPON YOU MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL TO RECOGNIZE THE INDISPENSABLE ROLE. WE ALL PLAY WITHIN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM BY FULLY FUNDING OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT. YOU AFFIRM THE WORTH OF EVERY STAFF MEMBER, ENSURING THE PROVISIONS OF A SUPPORTIVE, EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE EDUCATION FOR OUR STUDENTS AND BY EXTENSION, SERVING THE BROADER NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY. LET US NOT DIMINISH THE FUND FOUNDATIONAL ROLES WITHIN OUR SCHOOLS BY NEGLECTING THE VERY INDIVIDUALS WHO FACILITATE OUR DAY TO DAY OPERATIONS. I IMPLORE YOU TO CONSIDER THE BROADER IMPACT OF BUDGET CUTS ON OUR EDUCATIONAL FRAMEWORK AND TO ACT IN FAVOR OF PERS. PRESERVING AND ENHANCING THE ROLES OF ALL OUR STAFF WITHIN OUR SCHOOLS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MA'AM. TINA GRAF, FOLLOWED BY CRYSTAL RUFENACHT. MM. GOOD EVENING, MA'AM. NAME AND ADDRESS. PLEASE. TINA GRAF 1732 BOGGS ROAD. UM, FIRST, I'D LIKE TO THANK ALL OF THE COUNCILMAN WHO TOOK TIME TO MEET WITH ME AND OTHER UNION REPRESENTATIVES REGARDING THE BUDGET. IT WAS INTERESTING TO HEAR YOUR PERSPECTIVES AND MEET WITH YOUR BUDGET ADVISERS. I DON'T ENVY ANY OF YOU AND I APPRECIATE YOUR DEDICATION. AND THE SCHOOL SAFETY LIAISON AT FOLSTON HIGH SCHOOL MOST OFTEN WHEN I SEE MY COLLEAGUES OUT OF OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL, NO ONE ASKS HOW WE ARE DOING ANYMORE. THE QUESTION'S ALWAYS THE SAME. HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU HAVE LEFT UNTIL YOU CAN RETIRE? TYPICALLY THE ANSWER IS PRECISE TO THE DAY IN COUNTING DOWN OUR EDUCATORS, DESPITE THE LOVE OF OUR STUDENTS AND CAREERS DO NOT FEEL VALUED NOR APPRECIATED AND ARE LEAVING IN DROVES. ON SEPTEMBER 29TH. I WAS WORKING AT A FOOTBALL GAME AT EDGEWOOD HIGH SCHOOL AND GUNSHOTS WERE FIRED INITIALLY AND NAIVELY, I THOUGHT THEY MUST BE DOING FIREWORKS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THEN REALITY STRUCK AND IN AN INSTANT, I BECAME ANOTHER SCHOOL SHOOTING STATISTICS. AND I SHOWED UP FOR WORK THE NEXT DAY, NOT FOR MY LESS THAN 40,000 A YEAR JOB. BUT LIKE MOST EDUCATORS, WE ARE DEDICATED TO OUR STUDENTS AND PASSIONATE ABOUT OUR CAREERS. 
          YET HERE WE ARE AGAIN, BEGGING YOU TO SEE OUR WORTH AND LEAVING BECAUSE OUR COUNTY EXECUTIVE DOES NOT VALUE EDUCATION. OUR STUDENTS ARE OUR FUTURE AND THIS COUNTY SHOULD BE WILLING TO INVEST IN THEM. WHY IS IT NOT ABUNDANTLY CLEAR THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE WORTH IT? WHY CAN'T MR CALEY TRUTHFULLY EXPLAIN THE BLUE PRINT AND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STATE VERSUS COUNTY FUNDING? WHY IS HE REPOSTING INCORRECT INFORMATION ON A SOCIAL MEDIA SITE, INCLUDING MY OWN DEPARTMENT. SO MANY QUESTIONS THAT CONTINUE TO BE UNANSWERED, AS MR CASSY HAS NO PROBLEM GOING ON TELEVISION AND RADIO EVERY CHANCE HE GETS AND USES THE SCHOOL SYSTEM ONLY FOR PHOTO OPS YET INSULTS THIS ENTIRE COUNCIL, BUT NOT BY NOT EVEN SHOWING UP TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS AT THE BUDGET SESSIONS OR HAVE THE COMMON COURTESY OF LOOKING AT US WHEN WE SPOKE AT THE BUDGET TOWN HALL IN JANUARY. MY ONLY THOUGHT ON THIS IS THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE US FAIL. MY PERSONAL OPINION IS THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO DISMANTLE PUBLIC EDUCATION AND ADVOCATE FOR VOUCHERS. WHAT BETTER WAY TO DO THIS THAN BY WITHHOLDING FUNDS TO OUR SCHOOLS? AND WATCHING HIM FLUTTER BETWEEN PUBLICLY ADVOCATING FOR A SHERIFF, THEN TRYING TO DESTROY HIM IS WHAT I WOULD EXPECT FROM MY STUDENTS WHOSE BRAINS ARE NOT FULLY DEVELOPED. I COULD GO ON AND ON ABOUT FUNDING OUR SCHOOL BUDGET AS THAT IS MY LIVELIHOOD, BUT I AM ALSO A TAX PAYING 33 YEAR RESIDENT OF HARFORD COUNTY, AND I WANNA SEE ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS FUNDED THE FLAT FUNDING OF ALMOST EVERY AGENCY IN THIS COUNTY, PITTING US AGAINST SO MANY OTHER VITAL RESOURCES IS UNFAIR FOR AS MUCH AS I WOULD LOVE OUR BUDGET TO BE FULLY FUNDED, OR AT THE VERY LEAST GIVE US WHAT WAS INITIALLY PROMISED. I DON'T WANT IT TO BE AT THE EXPENSE OF OUR POLICE LIBRARY, HEALTH DEPARTMENT, HUMANE SOCIETY OR ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT ENTITY THAT MAKES OUR COMMUNITY ONE WHERE I PERSON TO LIVE AND WORK. I HOPE YOU CAN FIND DISCREPANCIES WITHIN THE BUDGET AND COMPARE APPLES TO APPLES. WHEN IT COMES TO THE FUND BALANCE, FIGURE OUT A WAY TO PROVIDE OUR CITIZENS WITH THE SERVICES THEY NEED AND PAY YOUR EMPLOYEES WHAT THEY ARE WORTH. 
          IF THAT MEANS HAVING TO RAISE TAXES, FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH THAT WOULD COST AND PROVIDE US WITH THAT NUMBER BECAUSE THE MATH ISN'T MAPPING AND BOB CASSY IS DESTROYING OUR COUNTY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MA'AM. GOOD EVENING, MA'AM. NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE. CRYSTAL ROOF AND I 700 HESTON COURT AT BELLA. UM THANK YOU, UM, FOR YOUR, UM, FOR CONTINUING TO OFFER, UM EACH YEAR, THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE INPUT ABOUT THE BUDGET. I'M HERE THIS EVENING TO ASK FOR YOUR CONTINUED ADVOCACY. THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE AMEND HIS BUDGET. INCLUDE THE 5% INCREASE PROMISE TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND TO HARTFORD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. I'M A THIRD GENERATION H GPS EDUCATOR. I'M THE FIFTH PERSON IN MY FAMILY. TO DEVOTE MY CAREER TO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, AND I'M A LIFELONG HARTFORD RESIDENT. I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE WITH A FEW COMMITTEES WITH EDUCATORS, CENTRAL OFFICE MEMBERS. MY BELIEF IS THE INITIAL REQUEST 
          [00:40:03]
PROPOSED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD REPRESENTED A LIMITED ASK THAT WOULD KEEP US AFLOAT AND PROVIDE FOR THE EXPANSION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR AN INCREASED NUMBER OF STUDENTS NEEDING THESE PROGRAMS. I HAVE ALSO ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE WITH OUR COUNTY EXECUTIVE WHO WON'T LOOK AT ME WHEN I SPEAK TO HIM, OR, UM, PROVIDE ANYTHING OTHER THAN A GENERIC RESPONSE TO SPECIFIC QUESTIONS. THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE HAS BEEN MAKING PUBLIC APPEARANCES CONNECTED WITH SCHOOLS, BUT HE IS NOT WILLING TO ENGAGE PRODUCTIVELY. WITH EDUCATORS AND WITH HTPS LEADERSHIP REGARDING THE BUDGET. IN YOUR POSITION. YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND WITH HIS STAFF, I'M ASKING YOU TO USE THIS OPPORTUNITY AGAIN THIS YEAR TO CONVINCE THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO HONOR THE 5% PROMISE HE MADE IN JANUARY. SECURING THIS 5% ALLOWS H GPS TO AVOID SOME CUTS IMMEDIATELY AS WELL AS IN FUTURE YEARS, AND IT ALLOWS US TO PRESERVE A RESPONSIBLE FUND BALANCE. HTPS WILL BE IN A BETTER POSITION. UM TO CONTINUE TO SERVE HARTFORD IF WE CAN AVOID DEPLETING OUR FUND BALANCE. WITH A COUNTY EXECUTIVE WHO WON'T SPEAK TO US ABOUT FUNDING WHO PUBLISHES AUDIO OF OUR SUPERINTENDENT ABSENT FROM CONTEXT AND WHO EX WHO EXPENDS COUNTY FUNDS AND PERSONNEL TO SPEAK AGAINST THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, DEPENDING ON HIM FOR EMERGENCIES IS NOT SERVING OUR COMMUNITY WELL. I'VE SPOKEN TO THIS COUNCIL. UM BEFORE, AND I'VE SHARED THAT I HAD A GREAT UPBRINGING AND PART OF THAT WAS HCPS. THERE ARE SOME FAMILIES IN THIS COUNTY WHO WILL NOT BE AS NEGATIVELY IMPACTED BECAUSE THEY HAVE THE MEANS TO SECURE SOME OF THESE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEIR KIDS OUTSIDE OF OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM. I'M WORRIED ABOUT THE FAMILIES WHO DO NOT HAVE MEANS WE HAVE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY WHO ARE STRUGGLING. THE CONVERSATION AT THE DINNER TABLE ISN'T THAT THEY MIGHT LOSE THE POOL AT THEIR SCHOOL, BUT THAT SUMMER SCHOOLS CANCELED AND THEIR KIDS CONTINUE TO FALL BEHIND. ACADEMICALLY. OUR STUDENTS NEEDS ARE INCREASING AND COMMUNITY DEPENDENCE ON SCHOOLS TO FILL GAPS IS INCREASING, AND THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE SPENDING LEVEL IS NOT SUFFICIENT. THERE ARE MANY THINGS THAT WE LOVE ABOUT HARTFORD SCHOOLS THAT WILL NOT CONTINUE. IF OUR FUNDING SITUATION DOESN'T CHANGE. WE CAN'T SERVE OUR COMMUNITY WELL WHEN WE CONTINUE TO BE REQUIRED TO DO MORE WITH LESS MY JOB AS AN EDUCATOR IS COMPLEX, AND IT'S VERY DIFFICULT. IT IS, HOWEVER, COMPLETELY WORTH IT. THIS MONTH. YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE WITH THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE . AND I'M ASKING THAT YOU AGAIN, UM, ADVOCATE THAT HE AMEND HIS BUDGET TO INCLUDE THE 5% PROMISED. YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO IMPACT THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS. IF YOU ARE AGAIN SUCCESSFUL. WE KNOW THIS WORK IS INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT. AND WE THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU'RE DOING. THANK YOU, MA'AM. TRACY PINCH FOLLOWED BY TRACY TREXLER. GOOD EVENING, MA'AM. NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE. HI TRACY. PINCH 348, WOODLAND GREEN COURT ABERDEEN. GOOD EVENING AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY. I AM A SCHOOL LIBRARIAN AT PATTERSON MILL HIGH SCHOOL, FINISHING MY 18TH YEAR IN PUBLIC EDUCATION. I WANT TO START BY THINKING YOU FOR YOUR ADVOCACY LAST YEAR AND YOUR NEGOTIATIONS WHICH GOT US $10 MILLION FOR EDUCATION BUDGET THAT WAS MORE THAN INITIALLY OFFERED BY OUR COUNTY EXECUTIVE. THIS HELPED FUND PART OF THE GAP LAST YEAR SINCE OUR COUNTY EXECUTIVE WAS THE ONLY COUNTY EXECUTIVE IN THE STATE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A LAW TO FUND THE SCHOOL SYSTEM LESS THAN WE RECEIVED THE YEAR BEFORE. 
          UNFORTUNATELY OUR COUNTY EXECUTIVE HAS POSITIONED US TO BE IN AN EVEN WORSE FINANCIAL POSITION THIS YEAR BY FUNDING US 40 MILLION BELOW THE INITIAL ASK FLAT FUNDING OF OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM MEANS CUTS TO SERVICES. BECAUSE OF INFLATION, INCREASING COST OF THE BLUEPRINT AND AN INCREASED NEED FOR A CHANGING STUDENT POPULATIONS, SERVICES AND JOBS WILL BE CUT. WHICH IS WHY I STAND BEFORE YOU. RECOGNIZING THE DIFFICULT POSITION THAT YOU HAVE BEEN PLACED IN TO ASK THAT YOU ADVOCATE WITH US FOR THE 5% INCREASE. OUR COUNTY EXECUTIVE PUBLICLY STATED HE WAS GOING TO GIVE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE BACK IN JANUARY. THE SCHOOL SYSTEM'S BUDGET REQUEST IS NOT UNREASONABLE. NOR ARE THE REQUESTS OF OTHER COUNTY SERVICES LIKE PUBLIC SAFETY AND OUR LIBRARIES AND PARKS AND REC AND OTHERS. WE ARE ALL PUBLIC SERVANTS DOING OUR BEST TO SERVE THE CITIZENRY OF HARTFORD COUNTY AND MAINTAIN OUR STANDARD OF LIVING, WHICH MAKES HARTFORD COUNTY A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE AND RAISE A FAMILY. A VAST MAJORITY OF OUR CITIZENS WANT GOOD SCHOOLS AND SAFE COMMUNITIES AND RECREATIONAL SPACES. BUT WE HAVE TO FUND THOSE PUBLIC SERVICES TO CONTINUE TO MAKE HARTFORD AN 
          [00:45:03]
APPEALING PLACE TO LIVE AND TO ATTRACT BUSINESSES TO OUR COUNTY. I AM CONCERNED NOT ONLY FOR THE UNDER FUNDING OF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, BUT ALSO THE UNDERFUNDING OF THE MAJORITY OF OUR PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS SO FAR UNDER THE TERM OF THIS COUNTY ADMINISTRATION. IN ADDITION TO MY ASK OF YOU TO HELP THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, GET OUR ADDITIONAL 5% OF FUNDING. I ALSO WANT TO KNOW. 
          HOW ARE YOU GONNA ADVOCATE FOR ALL OF OUR PUBLIC SERVICES? WHAT ARE THE PLANS FOR GROWING OUR LOCAL ECONOMY? HOW CAN WE ENSURE OUR COUNTY EXECUTIVES ACTIONS ALIGN WITH THE BEST INTERESTS OF OUR COMMUNITY? WE MUST DO WHATEVER WE CAN TO PROTECT OUR INSTITUTIONS. EVERYTHING IS INTERCONNECTED. STARVING OUR INSTITUTIONS OF FUNDS WILL HAVE A NEGATIVE RIPPLE ACROSS THE BOARD AND AFFECT ALL OF OUR CITIZENS FROM OUR VERY YOUNGEST HARTFORD COUNTIANS TO OUR ELDERS. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. I KNOW YOU HAVE A DIFFICULT TASK AHEAD OF YOU. PLEASE DO WHAT YOU CAN FOR EDUCATION. AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR ADVOCACY FOR THE RESIDENTS AND INSTITUTIONS OF HARTFORD COUNTY. THANK YOU, MA'AM. GOOD EVENING, MA'AM. NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE. TRACY TREXLER 2511 CRESTVIEW DRIVE FOLSTON. GOOD EVENING COUNCIL MEMBERS. I AM A COUNTY RESIDENT TAXPAYER AND HCPS EMPLOYEE. I WORK AT FOLSTON HIGH AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS AS A MEDIA TECHNICIAN. 
          CURRENTLY MY JOB IS TO KEEP BOTH LIBRARIES RUNNING SMOOTHLY, ALTHOUGH BEFORE COVID EACH TECH WAS ASSIGNED TO A SINGLE SCHOOL SO IN ADDITION TO ASSISTING TWO MEDIA SPECIALISTS, LIBRARIANS WITH THEIR DUTIES, I ALSO CROSS ALL THE PROCESS ALL THE BOOKS AND MATERIALS FOR BOTH SCHOOLS DEAL WITH LAPTOP ISSUES FOR OVER 2000 STUDENTS HELP THEM FIND BOOKS FOR INTEREST READING OR CLASS ASSIGNMENTS AND CREATE INVITING SPACES THAT WORK FOR THEIR NEEDS. AND THE LIST GOES ON. I'M SPREAD THIN AND I WORK DURING MOST OF MY LUNCH BREAKS THROUGH MY OWN CHOOSING BECAUSE I PUT STUDENTS FIRST I HAVE A UNIQUE PERSPECTIVE AS A CURRENT EMPLOYEE FOR FORMER LONG TERM SUBSTITUTE TEACHER OF 11 YEARS AND A PARENT WHO WAS ACTIVELY INVOLVED ON A DAILY BASIS. I'VE SEEN THE INNER WORKINGS OF TWO SCHOOL BUILDINGS EXCLUSIVELY OVER THE LAST 15 YEARS. I'VE SEEN THE CHANGES THAT PREVIOUS CUTS HAVE ALREADY MADE. THESE INCLUDE LARGER CLASS SIZES AND ELIMINATION OF PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS MORE DEMANDS PUT ON TEACHERS, AND IT SHOWS. THEY WERE BURNT OUT AND STRESSED DAILY AND TRYING TO PROVIDE ENRICHING EXPERIENCES FOR THEIR STUDENTS WITH MINIMAL SUPPORT FUNDS AND SUPPLIES. I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST YOU TO URGE THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR THE SCHOOL SYSTEM TO THE PREVIOUSLY PROMISED AMOUNT OF 15 MILLION. 
          CUTS IN FUNDING, SUCH AS THE BUDGET, PRESENTLY PUT FORTH BY THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE ARE GOING TO PUT AN EXTREME HARDSHIP ON EDUCATORS AND OUR KIDS. MANY CLASSES I'VE SEEN ALREADY HAVE 30 TO 35 STUDENTS WITH MORE CUTS . CLASS SIZES ARE SET TO GO HIGHER. ALSO EMPLOYEES ALREADY WORK WAY WAY HARDER FOR STUDENTS THAN THEIR SALARIES INDICATE MANY OF THEM USING THEIR OWN MONEY TO KEEP SUPPLIES IN THE CLASSROOM. CUTS IN FUNDING WILL INEVITABLY FALL IN THEIR POCKETS, AND THEY DESERVE BETTER. MY OWN 25 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER TAUGHT FOR TWO YEARS IN HARTFORD COUNTY AS A HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR WHO GRADUATED FROM BOSTON HIGH SCHOOL, SHE WAS AWARDED THE GET SCHOLARSHIP GROWING EXCEPTIONAL TEACHERS, WHICH OFFERS COLLEGE GRADUATES INCENTIVES TO COME BACK TO HCPS AS TEACHERS. SHE WAS THRILLED TO GIVE BACK AND TEACH IN THE SCHOOL THAT SHE ATTENDED AS A MIDDLE SCHOOLER. IN FACT, SHE POSTED A FACEBOOK, UM TO FACEBOOK, A PICTURE IN FRONT OF THE SCHOOL WITH HIS COMMENT. I GOT MY DREAM JOB. SHE WAS SO EXCITED. SHE HAS NOW MOVED OUT OF STATE TO PENNSYLVANIA DUE TO THE FRUSTRATION SHE ENCOUNTERED. 
          THESE INCLUDE LACK OF SUPPORT AND CONSTANT QUESTIONING OF WHY SHE NEEDED SPECIFIC MATERIALS TO TEACH HER STUDENTS WITH AUTISM. SHE DOESN'T WANT TO TEACH HERE AND SHE DOESN'T WANT TO RAISE HER CHILDREN HERE. WE SHOULD DO BETTER. WE SHOULD BE KEEPING TALENTED AND PASSIONATE EDUCATORS HERE IN HARVARD COUNTY. EVEN MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE HAD SERIOUS DISCUSSIONS ABOUT LEAVING THIS COUNTY AND STATE DUE TO THE POLITICAL SHOWBOATING AND OUR TAX DOLLARS NOT BEING WELL SPENT. THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY OF ANY COUNTY GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE TO PROVIDE FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND PUBLIC EDUCATION. PLEASE SHOW OUR TEACHERS AND SUPPORT STAFF THAT YOU UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF FUNDING THE EDUCATION OF OUR STUDENTS AND SHOW THE COUNTY, ITS RESIDENTS, YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND OUR KIDS THAT THEY MATTER OUR COUNTY AND STATE DEPEND ON THEM TO NOT ONLY SUCCEED BUT THRIVE IN THEIR EDUCATION SO THEY CAN LEAD OUR NATION TO A POSITION OF STRENGTH, PROSPERITY AND HOPE FOR THE FUTURE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU, MA'AM. JOSH KOZEL, FOLLOWED BY DOUGLAS RUDD. DIDN'T EVEN NAME AND ADDRESS, PLEASE. GOOD EVENING. UH, JOSH KEL 1106 EMERALD DRIVE, BEL AIR. MARYLAND, UM I SHARED THIS MANY 
          [00:50:01]
PLACES, BUT I JUST WANTED TO GET IT ON RECORD WHEN WE'RE DISCUSSING THE BUDGET HERE, EVERYONE'S COMPLAINING ABOUT THE BUDGET CUTS AT HCPS. REALLY THE BUDGET WAS NOT CUT. THE MAINTENANCE OF EFFORTS WAS FUNDED AND THE CURRENT ECONOMICAL STATE CANNOT SUPPORT THE RIDICULOUS 40 MILLION ADDITIONAL DOLLARS REQUESTED. THE SCHOOL SYSTEM IS TOP PARTY 32 OF THE UNSUSTAINABLE GRANTS AND PUSHING AN AGENDA THAT IS FAILING OUR CHILDREN. JUST LOOK AT THE TEST SCORES. MY MONEY IS NOT THE SOLUTION. UM LET'S LOOK AT IT. YOU HAVE A BUDGET LINE. 
          ADAMS OF EDUCATION, UM THE LEGAL SERVICES WENT FROM $372,000 IN FY 22 TO $530,000.25. WHAT'S THE EDUCATIONAL VALUE IN THIS? THE EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATION. FY 22 $2.23 MILLION COMPARED TO $4.08 MILLION THIS YEAR. 1.8 EXCUSE ME. $1.85 MILLION INCREASE. WHY? WITHIN THE EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATION BUDGET. WHY HAS THE EQUITY AND CULTURAL PROFICIENCY DEPARTMENT THAT IN FY 22? THE BUDGET WAS 29 $93,000 HAS SPIKED TO ALMOST DOUBLE 578,000. WHAT IS THE ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT? THEREFORE IN FY 22. THERE WAS NOT A BUDGET FOR THIS. 
          AND IN 25, IT'S PROJECTED TO BE $617,000. IN HUMAN RESOURCES. WHAT IS THERE A NEED FOR A TALENT MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT AT $1.22 MILLION IN FY 25. AND NO, IT'S NOT BEEN A LEARNING FOR THIS BEFORE. NEXT THE SAFETY AND SECURITY. THIS IS TWO DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS OR TWO DIFFERENT LINE ITEMS, SAFETY AND SECURITY OFFICE. THEY RECEIVED $802,000 IN FY 22 IN FY 25. THEY'RE LOOKING TO, UH, LOOKING AT $2.37 MILLION 1.56 EXTRA DOLLARS FOR WHAT? THE SAFETY AND SECURITY SCHOOL BASED WHERE IT'S FY 22 BUDGET WAS $443,000 AND IS PROJECTED TO BE 1.23 MILLION IN FY 25. AND THIS IS NOT EVEN INCLUDING SRIS, BECAUSE THAT'S NOT PART OF THIS BUDGET. NEXT CATEGORY IS STUDENT SERVICES, WHICH AGAIN IS NOT AN EDUCATIONAL BASED SERVICE IN MOST OF THESE ITEMS SHOULD BE CONTROLLED BY THE PARENT AND NOT THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. IN THIS CATEGORY, THERE ARE THREE MAJOR FUNDS. FIRST HEALTH SERVICES WENT FROM $4.2 MILLION IN 22 TO $8.2 MILLION.25. INCREASE IS THIS TO IMPLEMENT THE NEW GENDER IDENTITY IN HEALTH CURRICULUM THAT THE SEX THAT IS SEXUALIZING OUR CHILDREN. SECOND IS THE PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES, WHICH WENT FROM 3.59 MILLION IN 22 TO 5.64 MILLION IN FY 25. ANOTHER $2 MILLION FOR WHAT? LASTLY THE SCHOOL COUNSELING SERVICES WENT FROM 9.15 MILLION IN 22 TO 16.53 MILLION IN FY 25. ANOTHER ADDITIONAL $7 MILLION INCREASE. JUST UH, WHAT DESTRUCTION DID THE SCHOOL SYSTEM CAUSE DURING THE LOCKDOWN THAT REQUIRE THEM TO INCREASE THESE SERVICES SO MUCH? AND WHY ARE THEY TAKING THIS RESPONSIBILITY ON WHEN IT SHOULD SOLELY RELY ON THE FAMILY WHAT SURVEYS WERE SENT OUT TO STUDENTS AND HOW OR WHO WE INTERPRETED THE DATA? THE LAST SCHOOL SYSTEM IN ADMINISTRATION INCREASE IS TO COVER THE OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY AND INFORMATION WITH AN APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT INCREASE OF THE BUDGET FROM 2.5 MILLION TO 10.1 MILLION IN FY 25. THIS IS ALMOST $7.5 MILLION AGAIN FOR WHAT? AND HOW DOES THIS IMPROVE THE FAILING SYSTEM AND THE FAILING GRADES OF OUR SCHOOLS? THANK YOU. THANK YOU, SIR. GOOD EVENING, SIR. NAME AND ADDRESS. 
          DOUG RUDD, 204 STEED LANE, BEL AIR MARYLAND. I'D LIKE TO OPEN BY SAYING THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TONIGHT. AND I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR ADVOCACY IN THE PAST, AS MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE DONE, UM TONIGHT. AS YOU LISTEN TO THE AUDIENCE THAT SPEAKS TONIGHT. 
          YOU HAVE A WIDE VARIETY OF PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT THINGS THAT ARE CONCERNING TO THEM. THE OVERALL CONCERN THAT I HAVE IS, HOW IS IT THAT WE HAVE FOUND OURSELVES IN A SITUATION WHERE ALL OF THESE PEOPLE ARE UNHAPPY ABOUT HOW SOMETHING IS BEING SPENT? HOW THIS GROUP IS BEING LEFT OUT OR THIS NEED IS NOT BEING MET. AH 30 YEARS OF LIVING IN HARTFORD COUNTY OF WORKING IN PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM. I CAN'T ANSWER ALL OF THOSE QUESTIONS. BUT I CAN DEFINITIVELY SAY THIS WHEN A SCHOOL SYSTEM IS FUNDED IN THE BOTTOM FIVE OF THE STATE. YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR. 
          THERE ARE GOING TO BE MANAGEMENT ISSUES THERE ARE GONNA BE ISSUES WITH REPLACING SOFTWARE, REPLACING COMPUTERS, THINGS THAT WE NEVER HAD TO WORRY ABOUT PRE COVID. AT LEAST FROM A STUDENT SIDE OF THINGS. YOU PUT A LAPTOP IN EVERY STUDENT'S HAND. THEY NEED TO BE FUNCTIONAL. THEY NEED TO BE REFURBISHED EVERY 2 TO 3 YEARS OR THEY'RE NOT UP TO DATE AND THEY CAN'T RUN THE PROGRAMS THAT WE NEED FOR OUR STUDENTS. SOMEBODY TALKED ABOUT SCIENCE EARLIER TONIGHT. THERE'S ONLY A 
          [00:55:03]
CERTAIN AMOUNT OF SCIENCE THAT YOU CAN LEARN FROM READING IT IN AN ARTICLE ONLINE OR IN A MAGAZINE. AND IF YOU'RE GONNA HAVE A SUBSCRIPTION TO A MAGAZINE, SOMEBODY'S GOTTA PAY FOR IT. YOU LEARN SCIENCE BY DOING IT'S IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THESE KINDS OF THINGS THAT ARE NEGATIVELY IMPACTING THE SCHOOLS, THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. THERE ARE LOTS OF QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW THINGS ARE BEING SAID YOU FOLKS AREN'T THE ONES THAT ARE GONNA ANSWER THEM. PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW HOW MONEY IS BEING SPENT OR WHAT MONEY IS BEING SPENT ON CERTAIN THINGS. YOU CAN GET ANSWERS FOR THAT FROM THE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR HOW THAT BUDGET IS THERE, ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT WAS JUST ASKED. I AM A SCHOOL COUNSELOR. FIVE YEARS AGO, WE DIDN'T HAVE A SCHOOL COUNSELOR IN EVERY BUILDING. THEY WERE OFTEN SPLIT IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, WHERE A SCHOOL COUNSELOR MIGHT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR TWO BUILDINGS. 1200 STUDENTS THAT IS A SERVICE THAT IS NEEDED IN EVERY BUILDING. I DON'T DISAGREE THAT THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE END UP DEALING WITH THAT MAYBE SHOULD BE BETTER DEALT WITH BY SOMEBODY ELSE. BUT THE FACT IS FROM 740. 
          TO THREE O'CLOCK. WE'RE THE ONES THAT HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT AND WHAT'S THERE? YOU GUYS ARE THE ONLY GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE ABILITY TO CHANGE WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THAT BUDGET. THE TRAIN WRECK THAT IS THAT BUDGET AND IF YOU WALK AROUND HARTFORD COUNTY, IF YOU WALK AROUND BEL AIR, NOT ONLY DO YOU SEE SCHOOL SYSTEM THAT IS STRUGGLING, THE ENTIRE ECONOMIC SYSTEM AROUND HERE IS STRUGGLING. YOU GOT EMPTY STOREFRONTS EVERYWHERE. COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE IS CRAZY. 
          PEOPLE DON'T EVEN WANT TO BRING THEIR BUSINESSES TO HARTFORD COUNTY. YOU FOLKS ARE THE ONES THAT CAN HELP FIX THESE PROBLEMS. YOU HAVE TO BE A OF CHECKS AND BALANCES FOR A BUDGET THAT MAKES NO SENSE. TO MOST PEOPLE THAT ARE SITTING HERE TONIGHT. I DID NOT HEAR ANYBODY. 
          COME HERE TONIGHT AND GO. HEY THAT WAS AWESOME. THANKS COUNTY EXECUTIVE CALY. WHAT A GREAT JOB IN THAT BUDGET. YOU FOLKS ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT WE CAN PUT OUR FAITH IN TO COUNTERACT. WHAT IS THERE? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU, SIR. THERE ARE NO MORE SPEAKERS, MR PRESIDENT. 
          WITH NO MORE SPEAKERS. THIS WILL CONCLUDE UH, THE MAY 8TH 2024 FISCAL 25 BUDGET PUBLIC HEARING. 
          NEXT SCHEDULED PUBLIC HEARING IS SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY. MAY 13TH 2024 AT 7 P.M. IN THESE CHAMBERS ? UH PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE OR CALL THE OFFICE FOR MORE INFORMATION. WE ON VIEWING OUR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. THANK YOU. SO JUST HEARING
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.