Annapolis is nearing the end of its 90-day legislative session and several education-related bills introduced following investigations into Maryland’s public school system have failed to pass. The bills, focused on school funding and accountability, ultimately stalled in the state legislature, leaving key concerns unaddressed.
Two bills in particular – the Education Funding Accuracy Act and the Inspector General Authority Over Baltimore County Public Schools Act – garnered significant attention but did not secure enough support for passage. These legislative efforts aimed to address issues ranging from equitable funding distribution to increased oversight of school spending.
The failure of these bills raises questions about the state’s commitment to addressing long-standing issues within the Maryland public school system, particularly as taxpayers continue to fund schools even for students no longer enrolled.
Funding Formula Faces Continued Scrutiny
State Delegate April Rose, representing Carroll and Frederick Counties, introduced the Education Funding Accuracy Act in an attempt to refine Maryland’s school funding process. Currently, Maryland schools receive funding based on student enrollment counts taken on a single day – September 30. Rose’s bill proposed a shift to two counts, one in September and another in the spring, with funding determined by the average of the two.
“We work remarkably hard for our money as citizens, and we pay a lot in taxes. And educating our students is important, but we necessitate to make sure we’re doing it in a proper way,” Rose told Project Baltimore in March. The impetus for the bill stemmed from a Project Baltimore investigation that revealed Maryland taxpayers provided approximately $318 million over the last two school years to educate students who had stopped attending class.
Despite the rationale behind the bill, opponents, including Baltimore City Schools, argued that implementing a two-count system could have a “detrimental effect” on funding. The Education Funding Accuracy Act was never brought up for a vote in the Maryland House Appropriations committee and subsequently died.
Baltimore County School Oversight Bill Fails to Gain Traction
Another bill that failed to pass was the Inspector General Authority Over Baltimore County Public Schools Act, introduced by State Senator Carl Jackson, who represents Baltimore County. Jackson’s legislation sought to grant the Baltimore County Inspector General jurisdiction to investigate the school system, a power it currently lacks.
“I think we’re in a time now where taxpayers want to know how their money is being spent,” Jackson told Project Baltimore in January. Currently, more than half of Baltimore County Public Schools’ roughly $2.5 billion budget comes from Baltimore County taxpayers.
Baltimore City Schools opposed Delegate Rose’s bill (WBFF)
Maryland’s two largest school systems, Montgomery County and Prince George’s County, already have Inspector General oversight. Jackson’s bill would have empowered the Baltimore County Council to expand the IG’s jurisdiction to include BCPS. However, opposition arose, with Baltimore County Councilman Julian Jones arguing that the existing statewide Inspector General for Education provides sufficient oversight.
The bill ultimately failed in a 4-4 vote, falling short of the five votes needed for passage. Four Baltimore County Democratic Senators – Ben Brooks, Shelly Hettleman, Charles Sydnor, and Mary Washington – voted against the measure, while Democratic Senator Carl Jackson and Republican Senators JB Jennings, Chris West, and Johnny Ray Salling voted in favor.
What’s Next for Maryland School Accountability?
The defeat of these bills leaves unanswered questions about the future of school funding accuracy and oversight in Maryland. While these specific legislative efforts failed, the issues they addressed – equitable funding distribution and transparent spending – are likely to remain central to discussions surrounding public education in the state. The Maryland State Department of Education continues to review funding formulas and accountability measures, and further legislative action could be proposed in future sessions.
The outcome of this legislative session underscores the complexities of navigating school funding and oversight, and the challenges of achieving consensus among stakeholders. It remains to be seen how Maryland will address these critical issues moving forward.
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