October 16th, 2019 by WCBC Radio
On Tuesday, a state panel made up of lawmakers, educators and state and local officials recommended a new funding formula for public schools. The Kirwan Commission's additional $4 billion worth of reforms would be phased in with state taxpayers picking up nearly $2.8 billion or 70 percent of the cost, and Baltimore City and the state's 23 counties picking up nearly $1.2 billion, or nearly 30 percent of the cost. It would be up to state lawmakers and local officials to decide how to pay for this additional money, which would fund pay raises for teachers, pre-K programs and other reforms. State Senator George Edwards who represents western Maryland said one way to minimize the financial hit would be to spread the cost out over a longer time period…
Former Allegany County Commissioner Bill Valentine serves on the Kirwan Commission. He tells WCBC News he mentioned a scenario to other Kirwan members that fiscally strapped counties such as his own may simply have to tell the state they can’t afford it…
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