Local officials have until May 15, 2026 to submit feedback for the 2026 update to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Comprehensive Plan.

The deadline is approaching for local governments to provide input on the annual update of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future (Blueprint) Comprehensive Plan (BCP) – which is essentially a progress report on implementation of the State education reform package. Jurisdictions are being asked to provide targeted feedback on implementation progress. Submissions can be made on the AIB website.

For local governments—many of which are deeply involved in funding, facilities, and collaborative services—this is a key moment to highlight both progress and pressure points. The more precise and candid the feedback, the more useful the resulting plan will be as a living document for the leaders guiding statewide education reform. As the General Assembly is poised to take up some of the most, potentially, substantive changes to the Blueprint during the next legislative session, positive and negative feedback is gravely needed to ensure adjustments are sustainable and focused on preserving the mutually shared values and outcomes of the plan. As county officials think about submitting information, it is highly encouraged to consider not only the challenges that are being experienced locally but also some of the great successes local officials and school systems are seeing, particularly around Pillar 5 – Governance and Accountability.

The AIB is also seeking more qualitative insight—what’s working on the ground, where flexibility may be needed, and how state guidance is translating into local practice. This is not just a paperwork exercise it’s an opportunity for counties to ensure their real-world experience is reflected in the state’s evolving strategy. That means local input now can directly inform how the General Assembly evaluates funding structures, implementation timelines, and program design moving forward. For county leaders, the message is straightforward: engage early, be specific, and treat this process as a chance to influence the next phase of one of Maryland’s most consequential education reforms.

Feedback submitted on behalf of MACo members last year for the BCP was previously covered on Conduit Street.