Read more about the article SCOTUS Ruling in LGBTQIA+ Storybook Case Sides With Parents
Courts / Education / Government Liability and Courts
SCOTUS Ruling in LGBTQIA+ Storybook Case Sides With Parents

In a 6-3 ruling the US Supreme Court ruled in favor of Montgomery County parents that want the right to opt their elementary school children out of lessons including LGBTQIA+ themes.  As previously covered on Conduit Street, in the case of Mahmoud v. Taylor a number of plaintiffs from Montgomery County Maryland were seeking to restore the ability to have their elementary school children in the public schools “opt out” of certain materials used in school…

Comments Off on SCOTUS Ruling in LGBTQIA+ Storybook Case Sides With Parents
July 2, 2025
Read more about the article Better Standards for Education Reform Oversight Passes First Hurdle
Education / Summer Conference
Better Standards for Education Reform Oversight Passes First Hurdle

The Maryland State Board of Education unanimously approved a draft memorandum of understanding that delineates clear responsibilities for centralized education reform oversight and accountability. If approved by the Blueprint Accountability and Implementation Board, the new standards will bring better clarification and guidance to local school leaders tasked with implementing the state's massive education reform plan. On Tuesday, during a regularly scheduled meeting, the Maryland State Board of Education (MSBE) voted to approve the draft memorandum…

Comments Off on Better Standards for Education Reform Oversight Passes First Hurdle
June 26, 2025
Read more about the article Harford Schools Tap Reserves Again To Cover State Funding Shortfalls To Reduce Class Sizes
Education
Harford Schools Tap Reserves Again To Cover State Funding Shortfalls To Reduce Class Sizes

The Harford County Board of Education has once again pulled from school system reserve funds to cover recurring costs due to funding gaps left by state formula, while county government contributions in Harford are now $27M more than required and $86M more than the State's projections. On Monday the Harford County Board of Education voted, once again, to access reserve funds for ongoing school costs to cover funding shortfalls in the local school system. The…

Comments Off on Harford Schools Tap Reserves Again To Cover State Funding Shortfalls To Reduce Class Sizes
June 19, 2025
Read more about the article State Funding Shortfalls Lead To Delay in Teacher Salary Increases in Carroll County
Education
State Funding Shortfalls Lead To Delay in Teacher Salary Increases in Carroll County

The Carroll County Educators Association - the local teachers union - has agreed to a delay in salary increases due to State funding challenges cited by the Carroll County Board of Education. Local leaders want independent state oversight committee to hold Governor and General Assembly accountable for actual education costs.  The Carroll County Board of Education recently ratified an agreement with the Carroll County Educators Association that delays some previously anticipated salary increases. Documents from…

Comments Off on State Funding Shortfalls Lead To Delay in Teacher Salary Increases in Carroll County
June 19, 2025
Read more about the article The ABCs of the IAC – How School Construction Costs Are Shared In Maryland
Education / Policy Deep Dive / School Construction and Capital Budgets
The ABCs of the IAC – How School Construction Costs Are Shared In Maryland

This article is part of MACo’s Policy Deep Dive series, where expert policy analysts explore and explain the top county policy issues of the day. A new article is added each week – read all of MACo’s Policy Deep Dives. Funding for school construction in Maryland is a shared responsibility between the state and county jurisdictions. The Maryland Interagency Commission on School Construction (IAC) is the primary entity at the state level that partners with local…

Comments Off on The ABCs of the IAC – How School Construction Costs Are Shared In Maryland
June 19, 2025
Read more about the article Queen Anne’s Announces New Grants To Support Youth Programs
County News / Education / Health and Human Services / News You Can Use
Queen Anne’s Announces New Grants To Support Youth Programs

The Queen Anne’s County Department of Community Services Local Management Board (LMB) is now accepting proposals for two grant-funded programs designed to enhance the well-being and academic success of local youth: the Out of School Time (OST) Grant and the Partnering For Youth (PFY) Program Grant for the 2025–2026 school year. These opportunities reflect the County’s continued investment in innovative, high-quality after-school programming that supports children, families, and schools across the county. Out of School…

Comments Off on Queen Anne’s Announces New Grants To Support Youth Programs
June 12, 2025
Read more about the article State Accountability Highlighted as Concern During Education Reform Meeting
County Budgets / Education
State Accountability Highlighted as Concern During Education Reform Meeting

Local leaders, tasked with implementing the Blueprint for Maryland's Future (Blueprint), called on the state oversight committee to hold Governor and state legislature accountable for role in effective funding and implementation of education reform.  As previously covered on Conduit Street, the Blueprint Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB) is hosting public comment sessions for stakeholders to give feedback on education reform rollout and planning in Maryland. The advisory committee tasked with assessing the implementation plans and progress…

Comments Off on State Accountability Highlighted as Concern During Education Reform Meeting
June 12, 2025
Read more about the article Interagency Commission on School Construction: June 12 Meeting Agenda
County Budgets / Education / School Construction and Capital Budgets
Interagency Commission on School Construction: June 12 Meeting Agenda

The Interagency Commission on School Construction  — a nine-member panel including 6 appointees of State leadership and the State Superintendent, Secretary of Planning, and Secretary of General Services  — reviews projects, contracts, state funding distributions, and expenditure plans for school construction across all 24 local jurisdictions. The Interagency Commission on School Construction (IAC) meets monthly, typically at 9:00 am, to review project plans, progress, and funding for school renovations and new facility construction. The Commission’s…

Comments Off on Interagency Commission on School Construction: June 12 Meeting Agenda
June 11, 2025
Read more about the article Public Input Session on Accountability for Education Reform in MD
Education
Public Input Session on Accountability for Education Reform in MD

On Monday, June 9, the Blueprint Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB) will hear from members of the public regarding any proposed changes to how the AIB oversees the implementation of education reform in Maryland. Registration is open to sign up for public comment on the implementation plan for Pillar 5 of the Blueprint for Maryland's Future (Blueprint) - the State's visionary education reform plan that began implementation three years ago. Pillar 5 is a component…

Comments Off on Public Input Session on Accountability for Education Reform in MD
June 4, 2025
Read more about the article State Entities Aim To Clarify Oversight Authority for Education Reforms
Education
State Entities Aim To Clarify Oversight Authority for Education Reforms

A long-awaited memorandum of understanding is in the works to make education reform smoother in Maryland. The changes were called for and applauded by local education agencies who have been faced with inconsistencies, redundancies and confusion.  A forthcoming agreement between the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and the Blueprint Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB) aims to clarify the roles and responsibilities of state officials and agencies to better align with the expertise and capacity…

Comments Off on State Entities Aim To Clarify Oversight Authority for Education Reforms
June 2, 2025
Newer Posts
Older Posts