Baltimore County school system spending plan asks county for $372 million over five years

Baltimore County school superintendent Darryl Williams is asking county officials to earmark $372 million for raises and expanded services over the next five years, according to an updated spending plan the school system sent to the county last week, even after County Executive Johnny Olszewski said he opposes the county paying those costs. To fulfill the teachers union contract, the system would need to scrounge up millions for its $1.7 billion operating budget to sustain the higher pay over the next five years. The county school board voted last month to ask Olszewski to use $50 million in surplus funds to raise pay for teachers and other school staff. The money would cover raises for just one year.