Maryland Teachers “March for our Schools” in Annapolis

Public school teachers from across the state of Maryland, including the Eastern Shore rallied at the State Capitol in Annapolis on Monday evening, pushing for changes in the way public schools are funded.

The Maryland State Educators Association says it’s goal is to “end the $2.9 billion funding gap impacting Maryland’s schools — an average of $2 million in every school across the state.”

The event, which took place from 6 to 8 p.m. specifically set the goals of highlighting issues relating to funding, staffing, raises for teachers and “living wages for support staff”, expanding career and technical education, implementing universal Pre-K, providing further funding for special education and English language learners and community schools.

Senator Mary Beth Carozza, a Republican of the 38th District (Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset) has actively participated in education legislation in the General Assembly. The Senator says “I will insist on fair education funding formulas for the Shore, and will continue to engage our local school superintendents, county officials, teachers, parents, students and others on the education priorities in my district. There is a substantial cost to these recommendations, and we will have the hard discussions on affordability and accountability.”

Earlier this year, Governor Larry Hogan’s proposed Fiscal Year 2020 budget included what his administration called record funding for K-12 education. It also included funds for expanded access to Pre-K, state aid for local Head Start programs and 200 million dollars in funding reserved to implement the recommendations of the Kirwan Commission, a State committee examining innovation and excellence in education.