Leopold rejects schools' funding request

County Executive John R. Leopold said last night that the county just can't fund the school superintendent's massive spending plan.

Mr. Leopold laid out his vision for the county's future to the Greater Crofton Chamber of Commerce last night and ruled out the increase that would bring Superintendent Kevin M. Maxwell's school budget to $920 million.

"I drive by the school administration building on Riva Road and I wonder how many of those positions are duplicated," Mr. Leopold told the crowd of 65 gathered at Kauffman's Tavern in Gambrills. "We simply cannot afford a 17 percent increase in the school budget."

While the...