Montgomery County Maryland County Council is currently considering County Executive Isiah Leggett's proposed fiscal 2011 budget which includes reducing the police budget by $9.6 million, the danger (among other factors) is that if approved on May 20th, 2010, the reduction could be applied to the number of education facilities officer (EFO) positions cutting them by half.  Currently there are only 33 officers for 200 schools.  How will 16 officers do the work of 33 and adequately work with 141,777 students (2009-2010 figures)?

In a 2003 fiscal year report put out by the County the EFO program was described as being a  "unique partnership with the Police Department and MCPS, thirty-two police officers will be assigned to school clusters in the County with the goal of maintaining and enhancing a safe and secure learning environment for students, staff, and school community."

Since that time, only one position appears to have been added to those ranks and the program has been highly successful providing a positive police presence, community outreach, and gang prevention and identification.

Are our students today less deserving of a safe and secure learning environment?

Please sign this petition to tell Montgomery County Council and County Executive Isiah Leggett that along with the proposed funding cuts to the schools, the funding cuts affecting EFO positions are too much.  The security of our children is not up for debate.

address a personal email to county.council@montgomerycountymd.gov, which will automatically deliver your email to all council members.  You could also copy Police Chief Thomas Manger at MCPDChief@montgomerycountymd.gov.

As an example, here's a copy of the e-mail text that a Cluster Coordinator sent to the county council:

Dear Council Members:

As a concerned parent and a PTA member, I urge you to reject the proposal to reduce funding for county educational facilities officers ("EFOs") in this budget year.  While I realize that the county faces severe budget difficulties this year and that painful cuts will have to be made, I believe that the EFO program should be preserved.  This program has been extremely successful in promoting the safety of our students, as was seen only last year in an unfortunate incident involving threats made to the principal at one of our high schools.  EFOs also provide a positive role model for students at a time when such role models are sorely needed.  I urge you to ensure that this program continues to receive funding to allow coverage at all MCPS high schools. 

Thank you.

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