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Parent criticizes $750,000 school‑safety allocation, urges bigger investment
Summary
A parent urged the Board to increase school‑safety funding after a recent on‑campus weapon incident and cited past litigation costs as reason to raise the county’s allocation above the proposed $750,000.
Matt Wilhite, a parent, told the Howard County Board of Education the district’s proposed $750,000 allocation for school safety is inadequate following a recent arrest of a student who brought a loaded weapon to school. Wilhite recounted classroom security problems — multiple doors that cannot be secured and portables with no fencing — and urged the board to prioritize significantly larger investments in school safety.
"To look at this year's proposed budget of $750,000 for school safety in Howard County, it's just despicable," Wilhite said. He referenced past litigation costs related to a school shooting and said parents should not have to "pray every day" that their children arrive home safely. Wilhite asked the board to increase safety funding and to consider structural improvements, stronger facility controls and more staffing dedicated to campus security.
The hearing record contains public testimony on multiple budget items, but no board vote on the entire budget occurred that night. Speakers called for restoration of positions, capital funds and safety resources as the budget process continues.
