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State board adopts resolution endorsing superintendent guidance on charter funding while regulations are developed
Summary
The Maryland State Board of Education adopted Resolution 25‑01 endorsing the state superintendent’s guidance on commensurate funding for charter schools and directed local boards to submit methodology and school‑level budget data by July 31, 2025, while MSDE and a work group draft formal regulations.
The Maryland State Board of Education voted to adopt Resolution 25‑01, endorsing the state superintendent’s memoranda that interpret how local education agencies should calculate commensurate funding for charter schools under the Education Article.
Board president and speakers reviewed the 20‑year history of litigation and appeals over charter funding and said lack of statutory specificity has required board decisions and superintendent guidance to clarify the law. The resolution restates the board’s expectation that local boards distribute to charter schools a “proportionate share of all revenues for which they and their student populations are eligible,” subject to specified non‑distributable items and negotiated in‑kind services.
The resolution directs MSDE to request that each local board of education with charter schools submit by July 31, 2025: (a) the methodology used to calculate commensurate funding, (b) school‑level budget data for FY2026, (c) explanations of any variation between traditional and charter schools’ final per‑pupil allocations, and (d) policy or funding topics where local boards seek additional clarity. The superintendent had issued memos dated 05/01/2025 and 05/29/2025 clarifying the December 2024 board decision; the resolution incorporates that guidance while noting that formal regulations are in development and will supersede prior guidance once adopted.
Board members discussed concerns including what items should be negotiable, the treatment of debt service and facility costs, and the impact of charter funding on traditional schools. The board’s committee tasked with drafting regulations includes representatives from charter and traditional schools as well as MSDE staff; MSDE expects to bring draft regulations forward for publication by December 2025.
The motion to adopt Resolution 25‑01 was moved by Mr. Crawford and seconded by Dr. Lewis. The board voted in favor and the motion carried.
