Read more about the article Maryland EXCELS Joins Defense Department Pilot Program
Education / Health and Human Services
Maryland EXCELS Joins Defense Department Pilot Program

Last week, the U.S. Department of Defense launched a pilot program, MCCYN-PLUS, aimed at expanding the availability of child care options for eligible military families through its fee assistance program, Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN). The pilot program will include child care programs that are participating in Maryland EXCELS (Excellence Counts in Early Learning and School Age Care) and meet the eligibility requirements for MCCYN. With over 4,600 participants, Maryland EXCELS is the…

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October 7, 2019
Read more about the article Teachers’ Union Leaders: Underfunding Schools Undermines Our Future
Education / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Teachers’ Union Leaders: Underfunding Schools Undermines Our Future

A guest editorial on Maryland Matters argues the case for big new investments in schools, like the Kirwan Commission appears poised to recommend. Theresa Dudley and Diamonte Brown, respectively the president of the Prince George’s County Educators’ Association and president of the Baltimore Teachers Union, appear on Maryland Matters arguing the case for a major wave of education investments. From their guest editorial: In the plan developed by the Kirwan Commission, Maryland has a clear…

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October 3, 2019
Read more about the article Baltimore County Announces $16 Million for School Air Conditioning
County Budgets / County News / Education / School Construction and Capital Budgets / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Baltimore County Announces $16 Million for School Air Conditioning

With several Baltimore County schools closed today due to excessive heat, County Executive Johnny Olszewski announced that the County will provide up to $16 million in matching funds for air conditioning and heating units in schools that do not have air conditioning. The county funds will be matched by $13.4 million in state funding awarded by the Maryland Interagency Commission on School Construction’s Healthy School Facility Fund. According to Baltimore County Government: Although Baltimore County…

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October 2, 2019
Read more about the article “A Miner Detail” With Guest Laura Price on Kirwan, Taxes, MACo, and Policy
Education / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Summer Conference / Taxes and Revenues
“A Miner Detail” With Guest Laura Price on Kirwan, Taxes, MACo, and Policy

In a far-reaching discussion, Talbot County Council Member Laura Price joins the Maryland policy-based podcast "A Miner Detail" for a big picture discussion on policy, school funding, and lots more. Talbot County Council Member, and MACo officer, Laura Price was the latest guest on the Maryland-focused podcast A Miner Detail. In their conversation, Council Member Price and host Ryan Miner talked at length about the Kirwan Commission and the current school funding formula workgroup, and…

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October 2, 2019
Read more about the article IAC Releases Maintenance Report; Workgroup Moves Toward Pilot Program
County News / Education / School Construction and Capital Budgets
IAC Releases Maintenance Report; Workgroup Moves Toward Pilot Program

The Interagency Commission on School Construction (IAC) approved the FY 2019 Maintenance of Maryland’s Public School Buildings Report on September 19, 2019 and the Report has since been published. Maintenance, as the report states, is critical to extending facility life and keeping ongoing operating costs down. Maintenance costs are generally 100% the responsibility of county governments, and school boards differ in their maintenance programs, some developing highly successful and cost-saving models. ***The following article contains…

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October 1, 2019
Read more about the article Commissioner Wilson Tapped to Serve on Education Commission
County Government and Structure / County News / Education
Commissioner Wilson Tapped to Serve on Education Commission

Queen Anne's County Commissioner Jack Wilson has been appointed to serve as MACo's representative on the State's Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education. His appointment would replace former member Bill Valentine, who no longer serves as an Allegany County Commissioner. Commissioner Wilson is vice-chair of MACo’s Education Subcommittee, and chairs MACo’s Rural Counties Coalition. He has served as a productive member of MACo’s Legislative Committee, and Board of Directors. We are confident that Commissioner…

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September 27, 2019
County News / Education / General Assembly News / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Kirwan Funding Workgroup Closing in on Final Recommendations

The workgroup formed by the [Kirwan] Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education to delve into the complex matters of inter-jurisdictional formulas and the eventual state/local split of cost responsibilities continued its work today in Annapolis. The workgroup was asked to provide input on funding formula assumptions to enable the state staff and hired consultants to continue modeling the total cost of implementing the recommendations set forth by the Kirwan Commission. Preliminary Foundation Calculation - FY…

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September 26, 2019
Education / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
Sun Paper Endorses Kirwan Approach, a “Unique Opportunity”

The Baltimore Sun Editorial Board writes that state policymakers should embrace, not run from, the investments in education called for under the still-developing Kirwan Commission The Sun editorial board responds to the recent back-and-forth over school funding proposals, and their continuing assembly through a Commission and Workgroup, by issuing a call for their adoption - despite the costs. The Board focuses on the substantial portion of the Kirwan plan - which has been detailed in…

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September 25, 2019
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