WCBC

November 17th, 2014 by WCBC Radio

The Board of Education of Allegany County discussed its 2015 legislative session core values and priorities during the November 13, 2014, work session, which focus on adequate and equitable state funding, local control, and limited and fully funded state mandates. 

               The school board’s 2015 legislative priorities as they relate to Adequate and Equitable State Funding are as follows:  Equity in Funding; Establish a Commission on Education Finance, Equity, and Excellence; Level Disparity Grants; Support the Maintenance of Effort Law Enacted in 2012; Adequate State Funding to Improve School Buildings and to Create Capacity; the Exploration of a New Funding Mechanism for Public School Construction; Further Increases in the Transfer of Pension Costs; Teacher Retirement Supplemental Grants; and Net Taxable Income Adjustments.

               The school board’s 2015 legislative priorities as they relate to Local Control are as follows:  Continued Governance Authority for Local Boards to Set Educational Policy and School Budgets; Charter Schools; Labor Relations Board; Free and Appropriate Education – Burden of Proof; School Calendar; Mandated Post Labor Day Start; and Mandated Start Time for School Day.

               Additionally, the board opposes new mandates and will urge the legislature to carefully consider the financial and policy implications of new mandates. They instead recommend that any new legislative mandate be coupled with mandated full funding from the State.  School systems are required to provide pre-kindergarten services without any State or local funding. 

               These core values and legislative priorities were developed in partnership with the Garrett County Board of Education.  The two counties will host a joint pre-legislative breakfast in December to discuss them with the Western Maryland Delegation prior to the start of the General Assembly session.