Schools Get $6.7M in 'Unanticipated Revenue'

The Anne Arundel County School System received $6.74 million in federal and state grant funds this month after the county council approved a fund transfer.

The funding amount exceeded the budgeted estimate for this year, according to Anne Arundel County Council Bill 8-13.

The bulk of the grant money comes from $6.4 million in federal funding through programs such as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and Race to the Top.

The remaining $322,000 comes from the state and will pay for a state infant and toddler program, according to Anne Arundel County Public School's Chief Operating Officer Alex  Szachnowicz.

The full breakdown of how the funds will be used is as follows:

• Fixed Charges $4,840,700
• Administration $49,200
• Mid-Level Administration $250,000
• Instructional Salaries and Wages $193,000
• Other Instructional Costs $793,500
• Textbooks & Classroom Supplies $138,900
• Operation of Plant $8,000
• Community Services $272,100
• Capital Outlay $200,000 

Szachnowicz noted to the Anne Arundel County Council that the vast majority of the funding will go into "fixed charges."

"It is noteworthy that in excess of 71 percent of the funds will go into the fixed charges category to help offset health care expenses," Szachnowicz said. 

The school system required a vote from the council in order to appropriate the grant money, as the council is the funding body for the school system. That vote passed unanimously on Monday. 

Bill 8-13 can be viewed in its entirety on the Anne Arundel County Council's website.