Kamenetz budget to include funding more than 100 additional school resource officers, counselors

Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz’s upcoming budget proposal will include $8 million to fund 106 additional positions for school counselors, social workers, psychologists and police school resource officers, the county said today. The budget will be presented to the County Council on April 12.

Also included are additional health assistants and bus attendants. This investment is geared to addressing the mental health needs of students.

“In Baltimore County, our budgets continually reflect a commitment to ensure that our schools are healthy learning environments,” Kamenetz said in a statement. “Since 2011, we invested $13.6 million to reinforce all school doors and windows, adding security cameras and controlled entry. With this budget, we add necessary personnel to ensure that we are reaching the mental health needs of every child to avoid incidents of disruption.”

Kamenetz is serving his last year as county executive and is running for the Democratic nomination for governor.

“I was on the campus of Perry Hall High School in the aftermath of the shooting in 2012, and I have pushed for stronger public safety measures since that horrible day.  I commend the announcement that next year’s budget will increase funding for better school security,” Councilman David Marks, whose district includes Towson, said in a statement. “We need more School Resource Officers, broader technology, stronger discipline, and better communication with parents.”

Baltimore County Board of Education member Julie Henn, who is running in the upcoming election to represent the Towson area on the school board, said in a statement that, “As a BCPS parent, I think about the safety of our schools each and every day.  One of my top priorities as a Board member has been to work with BCPS staff and the community to identify areas in which we can improve the safety of our schools and then to secure the resources to make it happen.  I’m happy to learn of increased funding for more school security and look forward to learning more about the measures planned.”

“I am very appreciative that County Executive Kamenetz recognizes the important role that student service personnel play in creating a positive school climate, and that his budget proposal will fund these initiatives,” Interim School Superintendent Verletta White said in a statement.  “The best way to prevent disciplinary and disruptive issues in our schools is to recognize and address the important role that mental health plays in student safety.”