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St. Mary's County schools say state and county funding shortfalls threaten services, programs
Summary
Superintendent Dr. Smith told the Board of Education on March 26 that reductions in expected state aid and a county decision to flat-fund schools have left the district facing a multimillion-dollar gap that could affect arts, extracurriculars and staffing. County and state hearings are upcoming.
At the March 26 meeting of the St. Mary's County Board of Education, Superintendent Dr. Smith said the school system faces a multi‑million dollar shortfall after the state trimmed an expected payment and the County Commissioners advanced a budget that flat‑funds the district.
Dr. Smith said the district had been told in January to expect $147,500,000 in state funding for the coming year but that a governor's proposal reduced that amount by $2,200,000; after legislative changes and further adjustments the superintendent said the system was now “$2,500,000 in the hole.” He added that the county has advanced a flat funding plan for public hearings even though county officials are projecting about $15,500,000 in new revenue. “The county…
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