MontCo officials dismiss Weast's budget request

Montgomery County Schools Superintendent Jerry Weast announced a $2.16 billion operating budget Wednesday reliant on an additional $82 million in county spending next fiscal year — a request dismissed as dead on arrival by those who fund the schools in the cash-strapped suburb. The proposal is a $60 million increase in total funding, but with federal stimulus money evaporating, school officials say they need a larger commitment from the jurisdiction, which already is facing a more than $300 million shortfall.

Weast’s request includes spending for an expected 3,340 additional students next year and roughly 154 more teachers.