Statewide leaders in education discuss successes and challenges as the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future moves into year four of implementation.
With counties as the funding partners for prekindergarten through 12 education in Maryland, understanding the progress towards shared goals and outcomes of the statewide education reform plan is crucial. Experts from around the state came together to share some of what they are seeing with county leadership as the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future (Blueprint) embarks on year four of the rollout.
This session at the 2025 MACo Summer Conference began with remarks from Congresswoman April McClain Delaney and was then moderated by Delegate Vanessa Atterbeary. The first presentation came from State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carey Wright who shared details about recent changes intended to ease implementation and explore efficiency. On this point, she highlighted the upcoming independent audit that will be done over the next 18 months to assess effectiveness of the Blueprint as well as a recent memorandum of understanding (MOU) that was signed between the Department of Education and the Blueprint Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB). The MOU is intended to clarify oversight responsibilities between the state agencies.
The next three presenters were representatives of three different jurisdictions and focused on topics significant in their communities. In Anne Arundel County, the school system’s Chief Financial Officer Matthew Stanski shared some of the complications they are facing when trying to budget effectively for schools based on differentiated needs. In Baltimore County, Community Schools Director Melissa Forster shared about the tremendous growth their jurisdiction has seen in community schools, with facilities almost doubling between school year 2024 to 2025. And Superintendent of Carroll County Schools Dr. Cynthia McCabe walked audience members through the process for her school system to receive the first approved waiver for the minimum school funding timelines.
Speakers:
- Dr. Cynthia McCabe, Superintendent of Schools, Carroll County Public Schools
- Melissa Forster, Director of Community Schools, Baltimore County Public Schools
- Matthew Stanski, Chief Financial Officer, Anne Arundel County Public Schools
- Dr. Carey Wright, State Superintendent of Schools, Maryland State Department of Education
Moderator: The Honorable Vanessa Atterbeary, Chair, Ways & Means Committee, MD House of Delegates
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