April 11th, 2023
Cecil TV: We discuss the 2024 School Budget with County Councilman Al Miller
April 11, 2023
We talk with Councilman Miller about April 4th’s CCPS budget hearing.
Background:
Discussions around funding CCPS have arrived at a contentious point as the County Council is tasked with considering the County Executives proposed 2024 budget. County Executive Danielle Hornberger issued a stern message about school funding during her remarks at Tuesday’s Cecil County Council budget hearing. She confirmed her commitment to the state mandated “maintenance of effort” funding for Cecil County Public Schools. Ms. Hornberger went further to accuse School Superintendent Dr. Jeffry Lawson and the CCPS school board of malfeasance, a legal term commonly defined as unlawful action by a public official.
Ms. Hornberger did not explain how the school administrators actions might be unlawful. Her accusation may relate to her statement, made earlier in her remarks, that CCPS hired teachers in 2020 for permanent positions using ARP ESSER emergency funds issued during the pandemic. Ms. Hornberger said that CCPS did not have a plan to fund these positions when those funds were exhausted.
On it’s website, the Maryland Department of Education says that ARP ESSER funds are to be used “to reopen schools safely beginning in spring 2021; support sustained access to in-person instruction throughout the spring, summer, and into next school year; and to address the academic, social, emotional, and mental health needs of students.”.
In his presentation to the council, Dr. Lawson said that the decision to use the emergency funds to retain and hire teaching staff was in response to the circumstances at that time.
School districts in Maryland are funded with a combination of local, state and federal money with the federal portion being the smallest component. The state requires a minimum local contribution known as maintenance of effort that is based on a per pupil amount that can not be lower than the previous year. CCPS’ enrollment dipped coming out of the pandemic, so according to the formula, this year’s contribution from Cecil County Government is about $700,000 less than in the 2023 allotment. This is the third consecutive year of maintenance of effort funding for CCPS.
