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District reports progress on Maryland blueprint, details pre-K expansion and funding mechanics
Summary
Calvert County Public Schools reported implementation progress across the five Maryland blueprint pillars, highlighted pre-K seat expansion for Tier 1 families and explained the state's sliding-scale funding (FY26 per-pupil amount cited as $14,473) and MSF compliance planning.
Calvert County Public Schools presented a blueprint progress update to the board, highlighting gains in early childhood access, educator supports and literacy initiatives while noting constraints such as classroom space and overlapping state policy timelines.
Marcy Groover, the district's blueprint and communications coordinator, said the district met expected progress in the blueprint's five pillars and has substantially expanded pre-K access so that every Tier 1 eligible family who applied received a slot. Groover also noted a 350% increase in nationally board-certified teachers and work underway on a new educator career ladder and mentoring program.
Board members and staff asked detailed questions about pre-K capacity and funding. Staff said the district has capacity for 392 pre-K seats but currently has 318 enrolled; Tier 1 eligible families received first priority. Maryland uses a per-pupil allocation for pre-K; staff cited a FY26 per-pupil amount of $14,473. For families in the state's sliding-scale band (301–360% of the federal poverty level) the district will collect a portion of tuition (staff referenced $1,447.30 as an example for a sliding-scale payment tier).
Groover and other staff emphasized that some private providers applied for expansion grants but did not receive awards, and that the district is collaborating with private providers to grow capacity. The district also described minimum school funding (MSF) compliance requirements, noting FY25 served as a baseline and that FY26 and FY27 targets require progressive reductions in schools not meeting MSF targets; staff said they budgeted proactively for FY26 but will monitor guidance and waiver processes with the AIB (Accountability and Implementation Board) and MSDE.
The board asked about measures to address chronic absenteeism, particularly at the high-school level; staff described tiered interventions and monthly monitoring of disaggregated data.
