[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6659637,"mediaKeyId","2450221-1c4b3d27b33bb86b7834f4f9688c3f98","parentId",2450221,"title","Historic St. Mary's City seeks staff conversions, readies visitor center as DLS recommends concurrence with FY26 allowance","audioSeconds",187,"startMs",1102000,"endMs",1289000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2450221-1c4b3d27b33bb86b7834f4f9688c3f98&start=1102&end=1289","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2450221-1c4b3d27b33bb86b7834f4f9688c3f98/thumbnail_1102000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6659637/Maryland/Historic-St-Marys-City-seeks-staff-conversions-readies-visitor-center-as-DLS-recommends-concurrence-with-FY26-allowance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659637-f74ba16fbfaa4f15b56da016c0839ada/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445429&Signature=ROL3bu~NjyyLVQTr0Py-Hwt0mDwE4tS7VFHqJVShTvkbiEHpDwlD6bPnqb3hYeOLfUHjtbAGlctc7CJ-lbBngAxtTcLTAeIGI9NlSribSCzOqrnh6~sBILBG7jLcOcOBznO5wEBUoSr~F~sTOcAl~BPFHhvqDWLJ7oSTg43q95OKfRNdRa~Y-zEDVFZldrB94yPpSO0lL-qY7ySYhmhp2YG6y9ZFgotai1KnZNhVO9zVTDcLdBX-HoA-vs-4hncOQDfK1aLF2auohBoQAoOm0oI9ShPjeehmrykwbfwrXxDaQorEfDJZcm0GyEtTNiqnaPq9XzkvlSanJ7Ddlt1kJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Maryland General Assembly - Appropriations","date","2025-02-28T20:48:44.673Z","article","The Historic St. Mary’s City Commission’s fiscal 2026 allowance rises about $94,000 to roughly $7.0 million, a Department of Legislative Services analyst told the Education and Economic Development Subcommittee.

DLS analyst Elizabeth Veil told the panel the commission oversees about 1,000 acres including reconstructed period buildings, research archaeology and public programming. “The fiscal 20 26 allowance increases about $94,000 to $7,000,000 total,” Veil said, and DLS recommended concurrence with the governor’s allowance.

The commission’s budget profile, as Veil summarized, shows maintenance accounts for about 23% of spending, research archaeology about 21% and public programming and administration roughly 21% each. Veil said the agency has several active excavations, including “the recently rediscovered fort that was the first European settlement in the area,” and noted that archaeology stretches back roughly 10,000 years at the site.

John Bridal, the commission’s executive director, told the subcommittee the allowance’s personnel increases include seven contractual conversions for existing hourly employees. “This budget’s 7 staff conversions are enormously important to us,” Bridal said, saying conversions should aid recruitment and retention. Bridal also identified line-item requests for archaeology equipment, museum exhibits and consulting with Piscataway representatives to improve interpretation.

DLS noted a recent decline in recreational visits and special fund revenues (ticket sales, site rentals and donations). The commission attributes the drop in part to a better estimate of trail users, the July 2023 closure of an on-site bakery that drew visitors, and several summer heat-related park closures in 2023. School tours also remain below pre-pandemic levels; Bridal said staff are contacting districts to ask why tours have not returned.

The commission is preparing for the opening of a new Maryland Heritage Interpretive Center, a visitor center expected in spring or early summer 2026; Bridal said “a lot of work is being done now to prepare for that.”

Veil reviewed the commission’s response to a March 2023 audit that identified weaknesses in cash management and the absence of written policies and procedures. She said the commission reported implementing all nine audit recommendations and submitted documentation. Bridal confirmed the commission conducted a confidential staff survey in summer 2024 that showed strong mission alignment but a need for additional training and internal recognition.

No formal action was recorded during the subcommittee presentation; the DLS recommendation is to concur with the governor’s allowance. The commission and analysts answered committee member questions about nonstate revenue development and retention.

Details: maintenance 23% of budget; archaeology 21%; seven contractual conversions; visitor center expected spring–summer 2026; DLS recommends concurrence with governor’s allowance.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","EED Committee Session, 2/28/2025 #1","oneSentenceSummary","The Historic St. Mary’s City Commission’s fiscal 2026 allowance rises about $94,000 to roughly $7.0 million, a Department of Legislative Services analyst told the Education and Economic Development Subcommittee.","taxTitle","Education and Economic Development Subcommittee, Appropriations Committee, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Maryland","taxId",78563,"location","Maryland","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6659621,"UMES advances three‑year veterinary program plans and uses HBCU settlement funds for scholarships and student supports",1089,5206000,6295000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2450221-1c4b3d27b33bb86b7834f4f9688c3f98&start=5206&end=6295","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2450221-1c4b3d27b33bb86b7834f4f9688c3f98/thumbnail_5206000.jpg","/articles/6659621/Maryland/UMES-advances-threeyear-veterinary-program-plans-and-uses-HBCU-settlement-funds-for-scholarships-and-student-supports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659621-8b5a239019bb99309618acfd3d0b8a2b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445429&Signature=E6aJUWOvM9PEGF~UhpH1jmxCcinwUz1rSQx-Tet4adyeVBbWEvI5bj4N1jVA4bSrmOp7hpBS6oAZe1qdSUc0G4raONzRTZPsqYXkg4kFtRyImFK0L1qbN7f0cg6oKxczGbCMnyEAPTYJElCwfS76rd1LBKgms22neXzokJ2n0EvPtUcZdIOA5Y0OOh36jvOl-26wvHP515bWG6uV1QeyNF5xnPrcQHH5H9IjecKEHec4H9SS8kANIFuwoFdgJwufg3Y52604NlhSThiMwdEo3mXUFMgIOCIcAPakmkIedS8sbB9CmkuH1QqVCIYQepxCJMqqjlc7WOqJbk85VeI3ZQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","University of Maryland Eastern Shore President Heidi M. Anderson told the Education and Economic Development Subcommittee UMES is directing HBCU settlement funds toward scholarships, enhanced student‑success staffing and development of workforce‑aligned degree programs, including a proposed Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program.

DLS analyst Kelly Norton reviewed enrollment and retention data and said UMES’s undergraduate enrollment rose by about 199 students from fall 2023 to fall 2024, and that the institution added approximately 3,400 applications in fiscal 2024. Norton also noted increases in merit scholarships and raised questions about the shift in scholarship composition and recent vacancy levels reported by the university.

Anderson described how UMES has used settlement funds for first‑year scholarships, retention specialists and new high‑demand degree programs. She said the proposed DVM has cleared internal and state approval steps and is in the multi‑phase accreditation process with the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Council on Education. Anderson said the UMES model will be unique in Maryland for three features: a three‑year distributed clinical model (instead of four years), an emphasis on rural practice, and an interdisciplinary One Health focus leveraging UMES’s existing health professional programs.

Anderson said private and industry partners have expressed interest: she cited an MOU with Mars Veterinary Health offering clinical rotation sites and an agreement with IDEXX for virtual faculty and diagnostic support. The university noted that the DVM program is intended to reduce student debt by shortening time‑to‑degree and to place graduates faster into veterinary workforce shortages.

Norton noted UMES’s FY26 allowance includes salary adjustments and $9.0 million in HBCU settlement funds; UMES said it will cover a proposed 5% cut by reducing part‑time personnel, not filling vacancies and using facility renewal funds, while protecting students. Norton and Anderson also discussed high vacancy counts and recruitment challenges in Somerset County.

The panel asked about animal types and clinical training scope; Anderson said the program will include livestock, equine and other species and emphasized rural practitioner training.","University of Maryland Eastern Shore President Heidi M. Anderson told legislators the school is using HBCU settlement funds for scholarships, retention staff and program development while progressing on accreditation for a three‑year distributed Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program with a rural and interdisciplinary focus.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6659622,"Frostburg State says retrenchment and other actions reversed a $7.7M deficit to a $3M surplus, plans limited faculty reductions",242,4173000,4415000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2450221-1c4b3d27b33bb86b7834f4f9688c3f98&start=4173&end=4415","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2450221-1c4b3d27b33bb86b7834f4f9688c3f98/thumbnail_4173000.jpg","/articles/6659622/Maryland/Frostburg-State-says-retrenchment-and-other-actions-reversed-a-77M-deficit-to-a-3M-surplus-plans-limited-faculty-reductions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659622-d099d3c6d3e11a92f1031221588eada2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445429&Signature=ZVqs~47BhRrMX7P5ILjD-~mYUnvoyPtexqF-FjtWJEQ4pFT5~hkjkUw5t35vihWiMGhji84ySLN2REoUwoaNWdDuMx16zmGvXpNi1mSCB7~HmEVZvbtbP1DHUGVhLaYxHqhLXuiFOsNGaw4uN5OtpgGTW1ufzeW0wyhv6iswfe3bvrNfCRkH9-YPf1C~O86citpF6Dik1-Lo3VLTn~ANTlNGwCuE0QVedHq-usBx23KbMj46V0Efl7S3DifCNe3MPpB9DpGtFJObASFhTvQ1HZ-wSHvj7RUG~i6e~gTYEnPqcWiMmJEqlgHnebUhswwSqhwyIogd82ptur8Vm7Zsdw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Frostburg State University told the Education and Economic Development Subcommittee it has begun to reverse a multi‑year enrollment and revenue decline and expects to manage a projected state funding reduction while protecting students and creating resources to reinvest.

DLS analyst Sarah Baker summarized Frostburg’s long enrollment decline — a roughly 36% drop in FTE since 2010 — and described recent efforts to stabilize enrollment, including partnerships with community colleges, direct admit programs and targeted scholarships. Baker said state funding per FTE has risen as enrollment declined, contributing to fiscal strain.

The university’s interim president said the institution entered fiscal year 2025 facing a $7.7 million structural deficit and, by February, had reduced that to a roughly $3.0 million structural surplus through expense reductions and enrollment gains. “By the February, we had turned that $7,700,000 structural deficit to about a $3,000,000 structural surplus currently,” the interim president told the subcommittee.

Frostburg described an Educational Market Alignment Plan (EMAP) that includes administrative reorganization, athletics revenue initiatives and faculty retrenchment. The university initially estimated up to 45 faculty positions could be affected but said the planned number of eliminated positions declined through retirements and negotiations; current reductions reported to the committee total seven faculty positions (including tenure‑track/non‑tenure, plus some non‑tenure track positions) with additional savings expected in future years.

The interim president said the university expects to manage a roughly $3.1 million FY26 cut to its state appropriation using the surplus and ongoing savings without interrupting student progress. The university also requested corrective language to preserve a $200,000 Mary Clapsaddle scholarship as an endowment rather than require current‑year spenddown.

The committee discussed retrenchment protections for faculty and the appeals process; the university said it followed USM policies and had a planning committee and appeals procedure in place.","Frostburg State University's interim president told the subcommittee the university has reduced a structural deficit and, after an academic retrenchment process, expects to eliminate a small number of faculty positions while protecting student progress and preserving strategic reinvestment.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6659627,"Towson University cites record applications, rising retention and plans to absorb modest state reduction through enrollment and efficiency",706,3054000,3760000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2450221-1c4b3d27b33bb86b7834f4f9688c3f98&start=3054&end=3760","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2450221-1c4b3d27b33bb86b7834f4f9688c3f98/thumbnail_3054000.jpg","/articles/6659627/Maryland/Towson-University-cites-record-applications-rising-retention-and-plans-to-absorb-modest-state-reduction-through-enrollment-and-efficiency","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659627-a28ac0a44561e507a16e4360bbeb0278/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445429&Signature=VEARjOidlv~QOEny6fOE9QjVx~7RKNW-RxcuWQhNE-oNQznWNXUX7sI~jUcQSWZpKveYOTbjOtHJhqwIjojfOP9TpXhiOCjk-xMpE1XLimRzWGfMO5V2OeQrz-w12XfkolSZ3dtgTdZQaq9PxTFhwj3a82aQAmbexYHN87f1lBScGbzeCgbQDxATn1etHDpQ6GMC4x0FwtmP~0FWOiN~PoWLwovsBYs1Gfo8JgsI4flpLXmioqphUtFAgp4zsMojlwlQghEE9AfGNqAc6FgkOuGtkTiLSZ-zjvQdKNdF5vzi6zIxT8QCTc77MvP~nKNykApSzDAWU5D~NYN-JHQ3JQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Towson University leaders told the Education and Economic Development Subcommittee that the institution has seen record application pools, improving retention and plans to offset a modest reduction in state funding with a blend of expense control and enrollment growth.

DLS analyst Sarah Baker reviewed enrollment and financial trends, noting a 1.5% enrollment decline in fall 2024 and structural increases in state funds per full‑time‑equivalent driven partly by declining enrollment. In response, Towson’s president said the university has continued momentum: applications are at record highs, first‑year class sizes are among the largest in campus history and retention rose to about 90% year‑to‑spring.

The president told the subcommittee the university would absorb the governor’s proposed cut—about 5% of the state appropriation—through a mix of targeted expenditure reductions and revenue growth, including recruiting more students and pausing but not freezing hiring. “I believe that we cannot cut ourselves into prosperity,” the president said, arguing a blend of responsible cuts and revenue initiatives is preferable.

Towson emphasized its role in workforce development — producing high numbers of teachers and health‑care workers for Maryland — and noted gains in graduate enrollment tied in part to the Towson Learning Network. The president said the university will continue initiatives to boost transfer enrollments, including a statewide task force on transfers co‑chaired by the president and Prince George’s Community College leadership.

No formal subcommittee votes were recorded on Towson’s presentation; DLS’s analysis informed discussion of enrollment trends, affordability and state support.","Towson University officials told the Education and Economic Development Subcommittee they have admitted some of the largest first‑year classes in university history and plan a mix of targeted cuts and revenue growth to handle a roughly 5% reduction in state appropriation.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6659632,"St. Mary's College tells legislators enrollment has stabilized and audit fixes are underway as DLS recommends concurrence with FY26 allowance",1289,1615000,2904000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2450221-1c4b3d27b33bb86b7834f4f9688c3f98&start=1615&end=2904","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2450221-1c4b3d27b33bb86b7834f4f9688c3f98/thumbnail_1615000.jpg","/articles/6659632/Maryland/St-Marys-College-tells-legislators-enrollment-has-stabilized-and-audit-fixes-are-underway-as-DLS-recommends-concurrence-with-FY26-allowance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6659632-b1810d07bf1b91296554cf1f66d63e73/orig.mp4?Expires=1770445429&Signature=AX8iU~mwKrD~ito~42mJwQXG8ekWWvi8xBHRRa00FJh97og3B~wVQm88IrmNTp~iY6oX84B-EZVz02~~X4BjYjOrFw-klFBenidDLVjBlSCZQhIC5wyA0nY7y8AOa6JqYvcwIid9Y4oCcCABPppOpsKh2ri43vIcNbe6UDzNzk1V5qWpG-GVtuXAsoABDHh47HIMYLdZPvnnezybPzRJSwD4M8tDVRNvkfK6TzjppOA1vkT~tYFbNqOQE4ObSkOmO0EWflCenjWjt04I4QemmKK52N6SELj3OaP8s22a-IqpZG9uPvxyzgtWtEOAcDSQLRT9Lz~Q-ydGlFP5Y9DwIg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Education and Economic Development Subcommittee heard that St. Mary’s College of Maryland’s enrollment has stabilized and that the college has taken corrective steps following a December 2024 Office of Legislative Audits report.

DLS analyst Kelly Norton told the committee that total undergraduate enrollment rose modestly from fall 2023 to fall 2024 and highlighted declines and recoveries across retention and graduation-rate metrics. Norton said the proposed fiscal 2026 budget includes a general fund increase of $700,000 after contingent adjustments and that total state-supported funding increases by about $2.2 million when accounting for FY25 salary increases. She noted language in the FY26 budget bill that would remove the statutory funding formula beginning in FY26 and that one contingent reduction of $416,847 is shown in the bill if that provision is enacted.

President Jordan (St. Mary’s College) told the committee the college has “not only stabilized our enrollment, but we have turned the corner back to growth,” and credited new majors, a core curriculum, marketing and retention efforts including a winter session and the Seahawks Success Network. Paula Collins, vice chair of the board of trustees, told legislators the board is highly engaged in the presidential transition and thanked the legislature for updating the college’s funding formula in 2017.

Norton reviewed the college’s December 2024 audit by the Office of Legislative Audits, which included three repeat findings: procurement and contract oversight concerns (finding 2), insufficient verification of residency changes (finding 6), and weaknesses in collections and segregation of duties (finding 7). Norton said OLA also identified possible ethics concerns involving a vendor that was a second employer of an employee involved in procurement. The transcript records the analyst’s request that the president comment on corrective actions; Jordan described personnel and policy changes, including appointment of experienced finance leadership, a new procurement officer and revised procedures for residency and cash handling.

Norton’s recommendation was to concur with the governor’s allowance for FY26. Committee members asked about vacancies and accounting discrepancies; Jordan said classification errors moved salary expenditures across program categories in DBM reports but that corrected figures have been shared with DBM and DLS and that an enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation and newly hired staff should prevent future miscategorizations.

No formal votes were recorded before the subcommittee; DLS recommended concurrence with the allowance.","Analysts reported enrollment growth and an adjusted FY26 state allocation for St. Mary’s College of Maryland; the college described accounting classification corrections and actions to address repeat audit findings while seeking continued support under its statutory funding formula.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Historic St. Mary's City seeks staff conversions, readies visitor center as DLS recommends concurrence with FY26 allowance

UMES advances three‑year veterinary program plans and uses HBCU settlement funds for scholarships and student supports

Frostburg State says retrenchment and other actions reversed a $7.7M deficit to a $3M surplus, plans limited faculty reductions

Towson University cites record applications, rising retention and plans to absorb modest state reduction through enrollment and efficiency

St. Mary's College tells legislators enrollment has stabilized and audit fixes are underway as DLS recommends concurrence with FY26 allowance