A service of Salisbury University and University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Somerset County Schools Face the Sequester Cuts

somerset county public schools logo

Bracing for the impact of the federal spending cuts of the sequester Somerset County education officials are trying to balance their budget for the coming fiscal year.

In unveiling the $35.8 million spending plan this week Superintendent Marjorie Miles told the Salisbury Daily Timesthat the district must weigh the cost and value of programs or jobs that would be cut as a result of the sequester.

There has been an increase in the number of students attending classes with state revenue to the school district at $26.1 million.

But also reflects a 19 percent increase in charges for workman compensation and a 6 percent hike for health costs.

Miles said that technology is a top priority with hopes for building Technology Career Center.

Melvin Higgs, president of the Somerset Education Association, urged the school board to find funding to substantially boost the teacher salary above the 1 percent that has already been discussed.

Don Rush is the News Director and Senior Producer of News and Public Affairs at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.