Maryland Senate committee supports Governor Moore's education funding

A state Senate committee has decided to continue Governor Wes Moore's four-year pause on collaborative time for teachers and to maintain increased funding for community schools. This decision comes as part of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education bill and marks a difference from the House's previous approval. Senate Budget and Taxation Committee Chair Guy Guzzone, a Democrat, emphasized the importance of community school funding. He believes this is crucial for helping all children succeed. While he acknowledged that changes may be needed in the future, he feels maintaining current funding is essential for now. The committee's amendments create a divide between the Senate's position and the House, which has already approved the bill. Moore's original proposal aimed for a two-year delay in funds for schools that serve high-poverty areas and included a four-year pause on teacher collaborative time. The House voted to restore funding increases and shorten the collaborative time pause to one year. Senator J.B. Jennings, a Republican from Baltimore County, noted that although the Senate's amendments introduced more reductions than the House, he believed they are not sufficient to address current educational challenges. He acknowledged Governor Moore for his willingness to propose cuts, which are often seen as politically sensitive. The amended bill would lower per pupil funding because the amounts tied to collaborative time are included in this formula. However, it will not affect funding for special education or other specific programs aimed at supporting vulnerable students. Senator Karen Lewis Young raised concerns about the potential financial impact on local education boards due to these cuts. The committee could not provide immediate answers. Additionally, the bill includes stipulations for freezing funding increases based on certain financial thresholds. If revenue projections decrease significantly, or if federal funds decline, funding increases would be halted. Next, the bill needs further review by the Senate Education, Energy and the Environment Committee before it can be considered by the full Senate.