By Maddie Peloff ’16

Anticipating major cuts at the state and county levels, MCPS plans on reducing its budget a significant amount for the following school year.

At Sherwood, the budget cuts mainly affect staffing. Principal Bill Gregory was forced to involuntarily transfer 10 staff members, eight of which are teachers and two who are supporting staff. Gregory, though hopeful to restore the money lost from the budget, is realistic about the possibility of budget cuts. Though no official plan has been approved, MCPS is likely to receive a large budget reduction. “[However], my hope is that we can get staffing restored … and I’d be able to bring people back,” said Gregory.

New Republican Governor Larry Hogan, who was elected in the state of Maryland during the fall 2014 elections, promised in his campaign a reduction of taxes, meaning he will cut government spending, impacting schools across the state.

Planning for these cuts, Montgomery County’s interim superintendent Larry A. Bowers plans to reduce next year’s budget 27 million dollars, calling for a reduction in schools’ staff and spending. If carried out, Bowers’ plan will require the county’s principals to cut 370 positions for the following year.

However, there is a chance that the schools could regain the money lost in budget cuts. In fact, the General Assembly allocated enough money to make up for cuts; however, Governor Hogan refuses to allow lawmakers to spend it. As of now, the chance of restoring the funding is slim and Bowers warns schools to expect major cuts in the budget, which will be finalized no later than June 1.

The staff members affected by the cuts are not laid off, but rather forced to find another open position somewhere in MCPS. Gregory makes the decision on who to transfer not based on performance or skill, but rather when they joined MCPS. The staff most recently hired are first ones transferred. At Sherwood, the social studies department was hit particularly hard and lost two of its highly revered teachers, Bryan Clark and Scott Allen.

Many students were devastated to find their favorite teachers had been transferred for the following year. Some students even started an online petition, hoping to bring Allen back next year. Allen, who already has a job lined up at Gaithersburg High School for the following year, is aware of the petition. However, “whether or not it can have an effect, I don’t know,” he said. “But I appreciate it.”

If the budget is not reinstated, all Sherwood staff and students will be affected. As a result of staff reduction, class sizes across the county will increase next year. Although reduced class sizes are proven to greatly benefit students’ academic performances, the current budget plans would demand an increase in guidelines of class sizes. Unless the county can find a way to restore the budget, class sizes in both high poverty schools and other schools would rise in all grade levels, often by one student or more.

Because Sherwood will have fewer teachers and classes next year, Resource Counselor Elizabeth Al-Atrash explained that scheduling will be much more rigid. She urged students to see their counselors immediately if they decide to make changes to the schedule print-out they receive in May to ensure they are placed in their desired classes. “It’s really important that students are placed appropriately … and also that they’ve chosen electives that they want, because … we might not be able to change it later,” she said.