Education Archives

Conduit Street Podcast: From Maryland to Missouri, County Issues Align

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, Michael Sanderson is joined by Steve Hobbs, Executive Director of the Missouri Association of Counties, for a conversation on the issues shaping county government across state lines. Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit Street Blog and stay in the know!

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June 26, 2026

County News / Education / Environment / Health and Human Services / Intergovernmental Relations / Risk Management / Transportation and Public Works

Baltimore County Launches Sustainability Leadership Coalition

Baltimore County has launched a new Sustainability Leadership Coalition, bringing together businesses, nonprofits, educational institutions, healthcare organizations, and government agencies to strengthen sustainability efforts and share best practices across the county. County Executive Kathy Klausmeier announced the coalition at its inaugural gathering at Towson University, describing the initiative as an opportunity to connect organizations already investing in environmental stewardship, energy efficiency, and community resilience. From the press release: “Sustainability is about more than protecting the…

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June 25, 2026

County Budgets / County Government and Structure / County News / Economic Development / Education / Energy / Housing and Community Development / Information Technology / Intergovernmental Relations / News You Can Use / State Budget and Fiscal Issues

Conduit Street Podcast: Different States, Similar County Challenges

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, Dominic Butchko and Kevin Kinnally record from the Conference of Southern County Associations (CSCA) in Williamsburg, Virginia, joined by county leaders and policy experts from across the South for a discussion on the issues shaping local government today. Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit Street Blog and stay in the know!

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June 12, 2026

Education

School Board Members Nationally Worry About Impact of Divisive Political Climate on Education

A recent survey from Brookings shows growing concern among school board members nationwide that culture wars, divisive politics, and increased factionalism is leaving lasting scars on education and school systems across the country. The Brookings survey of America’s school board members offers an important national temperature check because school boards sit at the intersection of education policy, community priorities, and local politics. While state and federal debates often dominate headlines, school boards are where many…

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June 11, 2026

County Budgets / County News / Economic Development / Education / Health and Human Services / Housing and Community Development / Public Safety and Corrections / School Construction and Capital Budgets / Taxes and Revenues

Worcester County Budget Maintains Tax Rates, Boosts School, and Public Safety Funding

Worcester County has approved its Fiscal Year 2027 operating budget, maintaining both its property tax and local income tax rates while increasing investments in education, public safety, employee compensation, and county reserves. The approved $300.2 million spending plan keeps the County's property tax rate at 81.5 cents per $100 of assessed value and maintains its local income tax rate at 2.25%, which County officials note remains among the lowest in Maryland. County leaders described the…

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June 4, 2026

Education

MD Education Oversight Boards Discuss School and Student Assessment

Maryland State Board of Education and Blueprint Accountability and Implementation Board hosts joint meeting to assess Blueprint implementation and progress measurements. On May 28, a joint meeting was held between the Maryland State Board of Education (MSBE) and the Blueprint Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB). The discussion centered on the ongoing implementation and oversight of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future (Blueprint) - the state education reform plan. Following updates from State Superintendent Carey Wright and…

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June 3, 2026

County Budgets / Education

Talbot County Funds $1.3M Increase for Education in FY27

Talbot County Council approved a total FY27 schools appropriation of nearly $65M between operating and capital costs. In a vote on Tuesday the Talbot County Council finalized the FY27 budget with a $1.3M operating fund increase to the local school system and an additional $400K in discretionary funds for school security. These increases come despite continued declining enrollment across Talbot County Public Schools (TCPS), underscoring the county governments commitment to public school education. Additional allocations…

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May 28, 2026

County Budgets / Education

Charles County Sends $15M More in Discretionary Funding to Local School Board

Charles County Government adopts FY27 budget for the local board of education including $256M in operating funds and $260M in capital outlay. The Charles County Government approved $255,783,400 in funding for the Charles County Board of Education as part of its FY27 budget, reflecting continued investment in the county’s public school system. This allocation comes from a total county budget of $644,157,500, meaning roughly 40% of all county spending is directed toward the Board of…

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May 28, 2026

County News / Education / Health and Human Services / News You Can Use

State Grant Program Supports Buprenorphine Training for County EMS Personnel

Maryland counties may be eligible for up to $10,000 in state grant funding to support paramedic training on buprenorphine administration, as state and local officials continue to expand overdose response and treatment efforts statewide. The funding opportunity, offered through Maryland’s Office of Overdose Response (MOOR), is part of the state’s ongoing strategy to strengthen local overdose response systems and improve access to treatment for opioid use disorder. For counties, the grant represents another example of…

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May 21, 2026

Education

MD Department of Education Updates State Board on College and Career Preparation Progress

During a recent meeting of the Maryland State Board of Education (MSBE), state officials updated board members on progress towards getting all students college and career ready between grade ten and graduation. Current data shows a little more than 50 percent of students met the college and career readiness standard at the conclusion of the 2024 - 2025 school year. A primary component of the Maryland education reform plan - the Blueprint for Maryland's Future…

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May 14, 2026