As a resident of Cecil County, MD, I am deeply concerned about the future of our children. The lack of appropriate funding for our public schools is not just an issue; it's a crisis that directly affects the county's children and their future. Our students are being deprived of the quality education they deserve due to insufficient resources. 

In Maryland, public school funding is primarily determined by local wealth and student enrollment. However, Cecil County has been struggling with challenges which have resulted in inadequate financial support for our schools. This has led to larger class sizes, outdated textbooks and technology, fewer extracurricular activities and reduced support services. 

During the January 24th budget work meeting, it was shared that significant budget cuts were going to be impacting cecil county children in a way no one saw coming.  In a county that children face the harsh reality of drug problems on a daily basis, sometimes in their own home, Cecil County public schools will be canceling the drug education program.  Drug education is a necessity in this county as a proactive resource for children to learn about the effects of drugs when they are not able to get this education at home.  

In addition to removing drug education programs, security of our children is now going to be compromised with the cut of security cameras. We live in a nation where it is common to look at the news and see that another school shooting has happened. We expect these children to go to school, some knowing this is a possibility, and now we are telling them we are going to cut back on security measures? How are we supposed to give them the piece of mind that they will be safe if we can't provide them security needed?  

Another major impact coming is the reduction of 184 position within our school system, 113 of those positions being teachers. How can we expect our children to get a quality education that they deserve when we are removing the very people who are teaching them?  Class sizes are already to large and this has major impact on supporting, managing, and educating the children in them. Now we need to remove more teachers? 

According to data from the National Education Association (NEA), Maryland ranks 21st in terms of per-pupil spending nationwide. Yet within this state ranking, Cecil County falls significantly behind other counties in per-student expenditure. 

We cannot allow this disparity to continue unaddressed. It's time we demand change on behalf of our children who deserve equal opportunities for quality education regardless of where they live within Maryland. 

This petition calls upon county legislators and educational authorities to make appropriate funding for Cecil County Public Schools a mandatory requirement rather than an optional consideration. Our students' futures depend on it - let us invest adequately in their education today so they can be well-prepared leaders tomorrow. 

Please sign this petition if you believe in equitable education opportunities for all students, and so we can show the county officials and the public school system that we will not take this lightly and we will fight for our children.