UPPER MARLBORO, MD -- The Prince George’s County Board of Education unanimously approved Thursday the $1.6 billion Operating Budget request for Fiscal Year 2013, a spending plan that reflects stability and innovation amid challenging economic realities. 

Since Superintendent William R. Hite released the proposed budget in January, the school system has received $32.8 million from the state, bringing the total budget to $1,647,347,386. The Board of Education agreed to fund a media specialist at every high school, which will cost approximately $1 million. 

The Board will submit the budget request to the Prince George’s County Executive and County Council for review by March 1. County Executive Rushern L. Baker III is expected to introduce his budget on March 15. Final reconciliation of the school budget will occur after the state and county finalize their FY2013 budgets. 

“Slowly and modestly, our budget outlook is looking brighter,” said Verjeana Jacobs, chair of the Board of Education. “The Board of Education has worked with the community, Superintendent Hite and our employees to ensure that the budget process was open and transparent. We look forward to working with the County Executive and County Council as we enter the next phase.” 

“This is a sound budget that invests in the future of our students and puts our schools in a better position in the coming years,” said Dr. Hite. “We have shown a clear commitment to the school system’s long-term stability, providing students with rigorous academic opportunities, and increasing the capacity of our staff to teach and lead at the highest levels.” 

The budget request represents a 2 percent increase over last year’s $1,614,358,800 spending plan. Dr. Hite outlined four priorities in developing the budget: funding student needs, encouraging innovation, maintaining fiscal stability and supporting employees. 

The spending plan includes an additional $15 million in school resources compared to last year and will not require reserve funds to balance it. In addition to funds for employee pay raises, the budget continues to support investments in the Middle College High School program, Talented and Gifted offerings, Secondary School Reform initiatives and the expansion of grades in current charter schools. The new Student Based Budgeting system provided schools with more direct control over their budgets in an effort to limit classroom reductions. 

"We want this budget to underscore our core beliefs and ensure that our concept of equity is clear," said Jacobs. "The expectation of this Board is that the outcomes of this budget will be telling, and that decisions will be based on student needs instead of being adult-driven." 

PGCPS is also offering a retirement incentive program to further mitigate the need for position cuts. The school system faces declining enrollment with rising costs in fuel and employee health and retirement benefits.