Counties Applaud State Support for Local Blueprint Coordinators

On March 7, 2023, Associate Policy Director Brianna January submitted testimony to the House Appropriations Committee in support of HB 1196 – County Boards of Education – Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Implementation Coordinator – Salary Grant.

This bill requires the State, for fiscal year 2025 and 2026, to provide a $150,000 grant to each county board of education to fund local Blueprint for Maryland’s Future implementation coordinator positions. Counties applaud the intent of HB 1196, a clear demonstration of the State’s commitment to partner with locals to successfully manage the Blueprint’s many financial challenges, and look forward to continued collaboration with the State on implementing other facets of the Blueprint.

From the MACo Testimony:

The financial support of HB 1196 will provide critical help for counties – relieving them of the additional burden related to hiring and staffing implementation coordinators. Importantly, the bill would provide the necessary funding for all 24 jurisdictions to do so, at the same rate, for the entire implementation period legally requiring these positions, through FY 26. In doing so, HB 1196 creates full parity across all 24 localities and empowers each to hire the same highcaliber candidates to help guide their county through Maryland’s most consequential education reform in a generation.