Students Enjoyed Record School Funding Increases During Bob Ehrlich’s Term

Three months ago in July, Martin O’Malley celebrated his decision to cut future school construction funding. Just one month later, Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett told The Associated Press that “he couldn’t say whether O’Malley or Bob Ehrlich had treated Montgomery County better during their tenures.” (Source: AP, August 16, 2010)

Today, O’Malley, Leggett, and Rushern Baker will say anything to distract Marylanders from the fact that Bob Ehrlich oversaw record investments in Montgomery and Prince George’s County school systems when he was governor – and student achievement surged as a result.

Bob Ehrlich’s Record School Investments:  No governor in Maryland history, including Martin O’Malley, has increased state funding for public schools more than Bob Ehrlich.  Despite inheriting a budget deficit, Ehrlich increased state support for public K-12 education by an unprecedented $1.4 billion.  As a result, test scores rose across Maryland during his tenure.  (http://www.dbm.maryland.gov/)

Martin O’Malley Is Cutting School Construction Funds:  O’Malley is actually cutting school construction funds by $150 million next year compared to FY 2008, his first year in office.  FY 2008 school construction funding was $400 million.  O’Malley pledges $250 million next year – a $150 million cut.  (http:http://www.dbm.maryland.gov/, Washington Post July 8, 2010).

Maryland students excelled during Bob Ehrlich’s First Term:

·         Montgomery County Schools During Bob Ehrlich’s First Term (Source: MSDE):

• Bob Ehrlich increased Montgomery County public school funding by a record 41% totaling $433 million
• Grade 5 reading test scores improved 8 percentage points (2003–2006)
• Grade 5 math test scores improved 13 percentage points (2003–2006)
• $90 million for K-12 school construction and renovation projects in Montgomery County

·         Prince George’s Schools During Bob Ehrlich’s First Term:

o   Bob Ehrlich increased county public school funding by a record 46% totaling $846 million, the most total funding in the State

o   Invested nearly $6,700 in every Prince George’s County public school student in 2006

o   Grade 5 reading test scores improved 16 percentage points (2003–2006)

o   Grade 5 math test scores improved 23 percentage points (2003–2006)

Geographic Cost of Education Index:

• In 2003, the Attorney General’s Office under J. Joseph Curran issued a memorandum saying that there was no legal obligation to fund GCEI. Since then, both Bob Ehrlich and Martin O’Malley have declined to fund GCEI at least once. As Governor, Bob  Ehrlich will build on his record increases in public school funding and improved test scores while fixing the budget mess left by Martin O’Malley.