Wayne D. Ridenour, president of the Washington County Board of Education, said after Trotta's presentation that the board is asked every year to approve the Maryland board's legislative priorities.
The board was provided with documents that stated the General Assembly has considered legislation in recent years "to facilitate private funding of tuition scholarships, or private school vouchers, through an income tax credit program administered by the Maryland State Department of Education."
The documents say the voucher program would be funded by tax credits of 75 cents on the dollar, which would divert millions of dollars away from public school funding.
"We don't support that," Ridenour said. "It's just going to take money away from us in this economic climate."
Ridenour said another proposal the board will oppose is one that would create a Public School Labor Relations Board.
The proposal would require local school systems to hire a mediator to settle disputes between the board and employee groups.
Ridenour said in addition to being costly, the proposal would diminish local control over labor relations.
"To me, it's a little scary," Ridenour said. "I don't think we would need an elected board if that happens."
During a meeting Nov. 10, Schools Superintendent Elizabeth Morgan asked local state legislators to delay unfunded mandates to help the system reduce a potential $9.2 million deficit in the upcoming fiscal year.
Morgan said Friday the state often encourages school systems to cut their budgets, but will continue to create mandates without providing the funding.
An example of an unfunded state mandate is the work study program, Morgan said. The program requires students to perform volunteer work in order to graduate. Morgan said several staff hours are used to supervise and coordinate the program.
"All of those things cost money," Morgan said. "It's not time to implement anything new. We have to be in a holding pattern for a while."
Morgan said the system needs to focus on continuing its academic momentum -- not finding ways to fund new state mandates.
