The Senate passed SB 476, a bill that would waive the multi-million dollar State penalty imposed on two counties for failing to meet its maintenance of effort (MOE) requirement for education. The bill now moves to the House for consideration. This action was the first step taken by the legislature in considering the burdens of counties to fund obligations.
The Baltimore Sun reported comments from county officials, reinforcing the urgency of the legislation:
“Three frustrated county executives testified at the Wednesday hearing that the state school board had set waiver requirements far too high, seemingly making only the total collapse of a tax base as reason enough to grant one.
“None of us are proud of ourselves for being here,” said Wicomico County Executive Richard M. Pollitt Jr. “But these are unprecedented times, and we’ve cut our other departments so drastically. We have to open other doors that have been kept closed. We’ve put off cutting education as long as we can.”
Because of the school board’s denial, Montgomery County schools are to be docked $24 million in state funding this year. The Senate last week overwhelmingly approved legislation to waive that penalty, a proposal the House of Delegates is also expected to pass
Andy Harris was one of three Maryland Senators to vote against the Bill!
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
5 comments:
I just don't understand why they just don't privatize the entire school system.
Even when economies are flourishing . . .the school system is says they are broke. When times are lean . . .the school system is broke. They pour in hordes of money and what happens. . . they constantly complain they are overworked and understaffed.
One would think that sooner or latter that school officials would try something else . . like a pilot program to institute privitization or Charter Schools.
Now is perfect time.
Reply to 5:57
I absolutely agree. You hit the nail on the head.
You know the old saying
'You can't teach an old dog new tricks'.
It fits the mold for our school system. They just keep throwing away good money to a defunct system.
If schools could actually get back to the business of teaching instead of being expected to fix society's ills we'd only need a fraction of the money we currently spend
Why did Andy vote against the bill? Does he want us print money in our basements?
Oops. Forgot. Not many of us on the Shore have basements.
often people get emotional about school funding. schools like anything else do need a min to operate. however some think that we must give the schools more money and if you don't agree to it that means that you hate the childeren. More money doesn't necessarily equal smarter kids. but, I would argue that good teachers make smarter kids!
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