School Budget Shortfall of $60 Million Is Forecast

The Prince George's County school system's financial planners expect their budget to shrink by $60 million because of the state's massive budget deficit, Superintendent John E. Deasy said Monday.

In a school system with a budget of $1.66 billion, $60 million might not seem like a crushing blow. But Deasy assured a small crowd of people who had come out to testify on school funding that "it won't be easy" to create a budget with no new investments in education.

The root of the problem is Maryland's predicted budget shortfall of $1.7 billion. Last week, Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) proposed spending $169 million less on public education next year than required by law. Although spending would increase by $119 million, the decision would still cut back increases called for under the state's Thornton plan, which has put almost $1.5 billion of new money into education across the state since its passage in 2002.

Deasy said he was anticipating lower revenue from the county government as well, in view of a struggling real estate market and the likelihood that the state would trim its spending on county government as well as the schools.

"As you get more details, it gets darker and darker," Deasy said, adding that he is watching events in Annapolis closely.

Deasy would not say where he would make the education cuts.

"We're not going to signal anything until I'm really convinced that we're doing the right thing," he said.

Johnson on Trip to Nigeria

Prince George's County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D) was to address a session of the Nigerian Congress yesterday as part of a nine-day trade mission to the African nation. He also celebrated the 47th anniversary of Nigeria's independence Monday while in Nigeria, a trip he said was aimed at persuading foreign businesses to invest in the county.

"We're going to build a first-class economy in Prince George's County," he said just before he left, explaining the reason for the trip. "Our economy pays for everything we're doing in this county."

The trip is Johnson's third to Africa since becoming executive. On previous trips, he has visited Senegal and Gambia. This time he was accompanied by two county aides and seven county residents of Nigerian descent, county spokeswoman Denise Roberts said.

Prince George's is home to one of the region's largest populations of African immigrants, and Johnson has long sought ties with the community.

The delegation included internist George Ego-Osuala, Alexander Nnabue, an eye doctor, and Remi Duyile, chief executive of a mortgage company in Hyattsville. According to campaign finance reports, Ego-Osuala is a Johnson supporter and hosted a fundraiser for his reelection effort Aug. 15, 2006, that raised more than $31,000.