HCEA Pushing for Local Schools Funding

Ryan Burbey wants Harford County to take care of any overcrowding at the Harford County Detention Center by stopping the issue at the source.

Burbey, a teacher at , spoke at last week's Aberdeen City Council meeting, delivering an impassioned speech for city council and residents to get behind a push for funding local education.

Burbey took issue with what he called the underfunding of the local school system by the county. He said the HCEA union will attend the March 13 Harford County Council meeting.

"We have money to build onto our jail, but we don’t have money to fix our schools. It’s really ridiculous. These are our kids. These are the citizens of Aberdeen, the citizens of Edgewood, that are filling up the jail," Burbey said.

He added, "Right now we have a real serious issue where people are distorting the facts. Our Haford County government has run at a surplus for two years now. There’s been money to fund the schools. They’ve chosen not to. They will have a fund balance of over $80 million at the end of this year. There is money to fund the schools. We’re on the edge of a very serious change in paradigm in education, which is going to be expensive. And there’s no other way to do it than to fund the schools."

"We’re hoping all the community members, you all, and anyone you can rally behind you, will come out and speak to the underfunding of schools will effect our children," Burbey told those in attendance at the Aberdeen meeting.

Burbey said he spoke with the late Jackie Haas when she was superintendent about 10 years ago about seeking "gifted and talented services" for his son. At that time, Haas said the system was among the most underfunded in the state.

"I don’t live in a rich neighborhood. I don’t live on the good side of the tracks. I live where I can afford," Burbey said. "It really troubles me that my children are going to be forced to have a substandard education. I’m not going to allow that to happen."

Burbey maintained that any cuts in funding would disproportionately impact the schools along the U.S. Route 40 corridor—namely in Aberdeen and Edgewood, he said.

The funding of schools and fulfilling due increases in teachers' salaries has been a hot topic recently.

Aberdeen City Councilwoman Sandy Landbeck was in agreement with Burbey.

"I know that this is a case that we are facing some dire times. I teach two classes at the community college in the summer for teachers. Those classes over the years have normally run from 20 to 25 students. The last two years they have dwindled from five, and to three last year. People are not looking to teach. Even sadder, I have friends in the teaching profession putting out applications for other jobs," she said. "We are losing our teachers and we’re not getting new teachers. It is a financial thing. I would encourage anyone who would like to get behind his cause, to get behind it."

TELL US: Are you planning to attend next week's County Council meeting to voice your support of local schools funding? Do you agree with Burbey? Leave a comment.