The cost is coming due for Maryland’s billion-dollar education reform law, known as the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. But is it affordable? And will it improve the quality of public education? The answer to those questions varies throughout the state.
The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future passed in 2021. The law pumps $30 billion additional tax dollars into public education statewide over the first 10 years. And then $4 billion additional dollars every year after that. The increased funding comes from a mix of state and local dollars. The goal is to provide a world-class education system. The plan, in part, increases teacher salaries, expands pre-K, and bolsters career and technology training.
But 3 1/2 years later, many leaders around Maryland have concerns over how the Blueprint will be implemented and funded.
To get a better understanding of those concerns, FOX45 sent an email to all 24 public school systems in the state and the leaders of all 24 Maryland jurisdictions — the 23 counties and Baltimore City — asking:
- Does your jurisdiction have concerns over how the Blueprint will be funded?
- Do you believe the Blueprint can be fully implemented in its current form, or do you believe the law needs to be adjusted?
- Has the Blueprint increased the quality of public education offered to students?
Of the 48 emails sent, 15 jurisdictions or schools responded. The responses can be broken down into three categories. The jurisdictions that support the Blueprint as is, those that don’t, and those that support it, but feel it may need some adjustments.
The jurisdictions that support the Blueprint in its current form are Anne Arundel and its school system, Howard County and its school system, the Montgomery County Board of Education and Prince George’s County. Anne Arundel County officials wrote they have “repeatedly expressed support for the Blueprint and its pillars.” Montgomery County Schools added it “believes in the aspirations expressed by the Maryland Blueprint.”
On the other side, seven jurisdictions responded saying the Blueprint needs to change. The main reason is largely that it’s too expensive.
Officials in Allegany County wrote, “We are unsure of how the budget increase will be managed at this point.” Dorchester County said officials are “not seeing any level of improvement [in public schools] for the investment we have made so far.” Wicomico County called the Blueprint too much of a one-size-fits-all approach.
Frederick and Baltimore counties said they support the Blueprint but feel some modifications may need to be made. Frederick County officials believe changes will have to be made along the way because of the complexity of the law. Baltimore County supports the Blueprint but is open to discussions to increase, “flexibility and expanded state aid to help empower local jurisdictions.”
Among the responses received, there’s a clear distinction between urban and rural parts of the state. The more populated areas seem to support the Blueprint while the less populated counties say it will not work for them.
