Once Again, Naval Academy Is Summit Central

Just months after hosting the Mideast peace summit, Annapolis once again will be the scene for a high-level international meeting.

The U.S. Treasury Department announced last week that it would hold talks with China at the U.S. Naval Academy on Tuesday and Wednesday. Leading the U.S. delegation will be Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson Jr. Paulson has pressed the Chinese on several controversial issues, including their undervalued currency, which American manufacturers say provides an unfair advantage to Chinese companies.

Unlike November's Mideast talks, which brought Israeli and Palestinian leaders to the city, next week's event is not expected to draw crowds or protesters.

County's Financial Reporting Lauded

Anne Arundel County's financial report for fiscal 2007 received the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada's Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. The award is the highest form of recognition in governmental accounting and financial reporting.

"Our principle for governing is one of efficiency and accountability," said County Executive John R. Leopold (R).

"This prestigious acknowledgment recognizes the efforts of county government to be accountable for the responsibilities we have been entrusted with by Anne Arundel County residents."

County Looks to the Military for Teachers

With regional and national teacher shortages looming, Anne Arundel County's school system has announced that it will team up with a program to attract teachers from the military.

School officials said last week that they are tapping into the state's program of recruiting military members and their spouses to become teachers.

Anne Arundel is the second jurisdiction in Maryland, after Prince George's County, to join the venture.

Under the Troops to Teachers program, service members can be hired before their military obligations end and can receive help in completing certification requirements.

Troops to Teachers also can direct them toward stipends and other resources to defray educational expenses.

"These are people who have dedication and discipline, but most importantly a heart for public service," School Superintendent Kevin M. Maxwell said in a statement. "They are people who can assist us in our mission to help every child achieve, and our intent is to do whatever we can to help those who are interested in teaching make the jump to the classroom."