Maryland Charter School Funding: New Regulations Could Settle Disputes

Maryland charter schools have long argued with local school systems over how much money they should receive for each student. This argument may be about to end.

The Maryland State Board of Education issued a ruling this week that charter schools — publicly funded schools that operate independently of local school systems — should receive 98 percent of the per-pupil amount that a regular public school receives.

In Baltimore, home to 31 of Maryland’s 50 charter schools, that will likely give them more money to operate. City charters now receive about 75 percent of the per-pupil amount, with the school system keeping the rest for services it claims to provide, such as the cost of negotiating teacher contracts. Charter school teachers are members of the union.

“This decision will ensure that the funding charter schools receive is equitable so they can effectively operate strong educational programs,” said Public School Board Chairman Josh Michael.

Charter schools control their own budget and can use the funding for everything from increasing the number of teachers to field trips. The move could give them greater certainty about their ability to operate in a state that has historically been seen as limiting their growth.

The decision also helps fund services for special education students, whether or not they are enrolled in charters, by requiring charters to cover the cost of all special education students, not just their own.

Students with severe disabilities often attend specialized schools, called nonpublic schools, which cost up to $100,000 per student. Previously, those costs were borne by public school systems, but the state board said all schools — including charter schools — must pay the cost of serving those students.

These costs are significant. Alison Perkins-Cohen, chief of staff for Baltimore City Public Schools, said that while state and federal funding covers part of it, there remains a $100 million funding gap that the city ​​must pay. Previously, the city school system covered all of this cost and could not charge charters.

“We’re really happy that the state board has recognized the need to reduce special education costs,” Perkins-Cohen said. “The resources we receive for special education are well above expenses, so we can ensure that all students receive the services they need.

Baltimore is the only school system that has seen significant growth in the number of charter schools over the years. Its 31 charters serve about 20,000 of the city’s 75,000 students. Municipal charters irritate how funds are distributedeven if the State has chosen not to intervene in a dispute occurred last year.

But now the public school board has pledged to adopt new regulations in the coming months to address issues between charters and the local school systems that give them permission to operate.

“The school board is committed to further clarifying school funding rules and plans to adopt regulations for the first time,” Michael said.

Will McKenna, executive director of Afya Baltimore, Inc. which operates two schools, called the commitment a “gossend.”

“We’ve wanted to reduce conflict with the school district for years, but we’ve never been clear on how to do it.“, he said. “The state board declaring that it will develop regulations and provide more comprehensive guidance on charter school funding would be extremely helpful.

Maryland State Superintendent Carey Wright has already convened a group to discuss what the regulation should say. These debates are likely to be intense.

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