Education Archives

Dorchester Schools Face Tough Choices Amid $10M Budget Shortfall

Dorchester County Public Schools is facing a $10.19 million budget deficit for the upcoming fiscal year, which will require significant cuts to balance the budget. “I don't mean to stir up a panic, but I do think it's reasonable to ring the alarm,” Dorchester County Vice President Mike Detmer said during the Tuesday, February 4 meeting. “There might be tough choices coming to this table.” Catch the meeting below. Jump to 1:17:14 for the key…

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February 21, 2025

County News / Education

Frederick County Adopts Multi-Agency Collaboration To Strengthen Local Workforce

Public members are invited to attend the kickoff meeting for the Frederick County Career and Technical Education (CTE) Master Plan Study on Wednesday, February 19 at 6:00 p.m. in the first-floor hearing room of Winchester Hall, 12 E. Church Street in Frederick. “Frederick County is a leader in Career and Technical Education in Maryland, but we know we can do even more to harness one of our greatest assets – our ability to form partnerships,”…

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February 20, 2025

County Budgets / Education / State Budget and Fiscal Issues

Carroll Schools, Citing Blueprint Pressures, Seek $57M, a 23% Increase

The Carroll County Board of Education, recognizing budget stresses caused by the need to meet State-imposed mandates under the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, narrowly approved a budget request for $57 million more than their prior allocation. The Blueprint program is still less than halfway through its ten-year phase-in timeline. At its February 18 meeting, the Carroll County Board of Education reviewed the dramatic effects of achieving goals within the statewide education plan, the Blueprint for…

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February 20, 2025

County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / Human Resources / Labor / News You Can Use

State Proposes 18 Month Delay in Family Leave, Bill to Follow

The Maryland Department of Labor is proposing to delay the Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) implementation amid federal uncertainty. With current law set to start payroll deductions in July of 2025 and roll out benefits in 2026, the proposed changes would delay payroll deductions until January 1, 2027, with benefits beginning on January 1, 2028. This move aims to give employers and workers additional time to prepare while Maryland navigates economic uncertainty. The original…

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February 14, 2025

County Budgets / County News / Economic Development / Education / Housing and Community Development

ENOUGH Act Brings Local Support to Calvert County

Calvert County has been awarded $98,500 from the Governor’s Office for Children’s Engaging Neighborhoods, Organizations, Unions, Governments, and Households (ENOUGH) Local Management Board (LMB) Capacity Building Grant. The funding aims to leverage the local infrastructure of the LMB to support local communities in pursuit of their goals. In May 2024, Gov. Wes Moore signed the ENOUGH Act into law as a first-of-is-kind, state-led response to alleviate childhood poverty. The ENOUGH initiative provides resources to communities…

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February 14, 2025

County News / Education

Frederick and Baltimore City Schools Among Those Honored for Gifted and Talented Programs

Gifted and Talented Education Month kicked off with Excellence in Gifted and Talented Education (EGATE) awards for 14 schools across Maryland counties. “We commend the extraordinary efforts of schools across Maryland to foster excellence in gifted and talented education,” said Dr. Carey M. Wright, State Superintendent of Schools. “This recognition is a testament to their commitment to meeting the diverse needs of gifted learners and the bright future they are helping to shape for all students.”…

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February 14, 2025

County News / Education / Health and Human Services / Housing and Community Development

Howard Invests $1.5M in Youth Engagement Programs

Since the launch of Youth Engagement Programming (YEP!) in 2023, more than $1.5 million has been awarded to support nearly 40 nonprofits, and more than 9,000 young people have participated across Howard County. In light of its success, Howard County Executive Calvin Ball has announced the second round of Youth Engagement Programming (YEP!) grant recipients and programs. Thirty-three local organizations have received YEP! Grants to support free and low-cost programming in Howard County. These grants promote…

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February 13, 2025

Employee Benefits and Relations / Health and Human Services / Human Resources / MACo Testimony

MACo Supports Upper Payment Limits to Secure Prescription Drug Affordability

On February 6, Associate Policy Director Karrington Anderson testified before the Health and Government Operations Committee in support of HB 424 - Prescription Drug Affordability Board - Authority for Upper Payment Limits (Lowering Prescription Drug Costs for All Marylanders Now Act). This bill enhances the authority of the Prescription Drug Affordability Board to establish a process for setting upper payment limits for prescription drug purchases and payor reimbursements in the state. This legislation strengthens efforts…

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February 11, 2025

Employee Benefits and Relations / Human Resources / Labor / MACo Testimony

Counties Urge State-Funded Mandate to Support Firefighter Cancer Screenings

On February 4, Associate Policy Director Karrington Anderson testified before the Finance Committee in support of SB 374 - Health Insurance - Cancer Screenings for Professional Firefighters - Required Coverage (James "Jimmy" Malone Act) with amendments. This bill requires counties that employ career firefighters to provide coverage for preventive cancer screenings with no cost-sharing requirements such as copayments, coinsurance, or deductibles.. Many counties already provide firefighter cancer screenings, often relying on grant programs due to…

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February 5, 2025

County Budgets / County News / Economic Development / Education

Conduit Street Podcast: Education Priorities for Maryland’s Future

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, hosts Michael Sanderson and Sarah Sample are joined by Mary Pat Fannon, Executive Director of the Public School Superintendents Association of Maryland. 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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January 31, 2025