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Parents and residents press commissioners for larger school funding amid Blueprint shortfalls
Summary
Members of the Carroll Education Coalition and other residents testified that the county must provide more funding to Carroll County Public Schools to offset rising insurance and utility costs and limits in the state Blueprint formula; commissioners acknowledged continued advocacy in Annapolis and ongoing budget discussions.
Several residents, including parents and members of the Carroll Education Coalition, addressed the commissioners on March 27 urging the board to increase county funding for Carroll County Public Schools (CCPS) beyond the maintenance-of-effort baseline to cover rising costs for health insurance, utilities and negotiated contracts.
Julie Walsh introduced herself as representing the Carroll Education Coalition and said volunteers had been regularly lobbying in Annapolis for flexibility and amendments to the governor’s education bill. "We have been in Annapolis almost every week, walking the halls, talking to staff and legislators, testifying on the governor's education bill," Walsh said, adding the group had gathered a mailing list and online following and was advocating for flexibility to address local needs.
Lisa Masano (spelled Masano in the transcript), a member of the Carroll Education Coalition, thanked commissioners for a preliminary motion to provide an additional $13 million to CCPS in the county’s preliminary budget. She told the board that CCPS projects a $6.1 million increase in staff health-care costs and $2.8 million more in utility costs, and said the 13 million represented roughly a 5.5% increase that still falls short of inflationary pressures. "The question is not whether Carroll County can afford it. The question is whether we can afford not to," she said.
Why it matters: Speakers said the state Blueprint formulas are being fully funded per the formula but—because the formula has not been inflation-adjusted—local school systems still face shortfalls. Commissioners responded that advocacy in Annapolis must continue and that the county’s budget process is ongoing; one commissioner noted that maintenance-of-effort (MOE) has not historically been treated as a ceiling for county funding.
Board reaction and next steps: Commissioners thanked speakers, reiterated that they were engaged with Annapolis advocacy, and encouraged continued community contact with state legislators. The board continues budget work sessions and has a scheduled schedule of hearings and meetings related to the county budget.
