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​MEC 2025 Statements and Action Items

 

Protect the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future: Say NO to Cuts!

When Maryland created the Blueprint for Maryland's Future, it was meant to give teachers the time they need to collaborate and provide extra support for our most vulnerable students, like multilingual learners and those living in poverty.

Now, there is legislation proposing cuts to Collaborative Time and freezing funding for Community Schools, which are cuts to education, schools, and students.

We need you to speak up and tell your lawmakers to protect these essential programs and say NO to cuts to the Blueprint for Maryland's Future.

TAKE ACTION HERE

THE IMPACT OF FREEZING COMMUNITY SCHOOL FUNDING

The integrated student supports provided by community schools are associated with positive student outcomes. Young people receiving such supports, including counseling, medical care, dental services, and transportation assistance, often show significant improvements in attendance, behavior,social functioning, and academic achievement.¹​

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  • ​WHAT ARE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS?

  • KEY HARMS OF FREEZING FUNDING

  • FINANCIAL IMPACTS OF A FREEZE

  • KEY STUDENTS IMPACTED

  • THE REAL COST OF DELAYS

For Answers, Click HERE

1 Maier, A., Daniel, J., Oakes, J., & Lam, L. (2017). Community Schools as an Effective School ImprovementStrategy: A Review of the Evidence. Learning Policy Institute.​

THE IMPACT OF PAUSING COLLABORATIVE TIME

A pause to collaborative time disproportionatelyaffects the state’s most vulnerable children,undermining decades of progress in creating anequitable education system for all students. We urge lawmakers to oppose any delay!

​

  • WHAT IS COLLABORATIVE TIME?

  • HOW DOES IT IMPACT STUDENT OUTCOMES?

  • WHAT ABOUT THE TEACHER SHORTAGE?

  • FINANCIAL IMPACTS OF A PAUSE

  • KEY STUDENTS IMPACTED

  • THE REAL COST OF DELAYS

For Answers, Click HERE

Dear Community School Leaders,

Are you looking for a way to take action during these uncertain times? We are calling on everyone who knows the transformative power of Community Schools to speak up. 

On February 19, 2025 at 1 p.m. SB429 - The Excellence in Maryland Public Schools Act will be presented in a joint hearing of two Senator Committees. Among other cuts, this bill proposes to freeze the increases in the Concentration of Poverty Per Pupil Funding for two years (FY27 and FY28). 

Those funds help schools and Community School Coordinators address the specific needs identified in your assessments.  Maryland is making progress with Community Schools and we need to stay the course. 

 

How to Take Action - With Special Thanks to our Friends at Strong Schools Maryland

  • Submit Written and/or Oral Testimony – You must sign up or submit testimony between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Monday, February 10: Testimony Submission + Sign Up Guide.

  •  Use The Testimony Template –Personalize your message using this Testimony Template as a starting point. 

  •  Join Office Hours for Support – Need help writing or submitting testimony? Advocates from the Blueprint Coalition are hosting office hours on February 10 to assist you. 

  •  Virtual Office Hours (Monday Feb 10, 9-10am)  Register here.

  •  Virtual Office Hours (Monday Feb 10, 12-1pm)  Register here.

 

 See How the Cuts Affect Your School or LEA – Here is a spreadsheet to see the impact at the local level: School and LEA-Level Funding Impact.

Why This Matters

Maryland faces a $3 billion shortfall this year and an even more significant structural deficit. The Governor’s proposed budget and education bill relies heavily on cuts to education to close this year's gap and the long-term deficit.

  •  This year, the cuts to education total over $200 million and could balloon to as much as 6 billion dollars over the next four years.

  •  These cuts disproportionately impact Black and Brown students, students experiencing poverty, multilingual learners, and students with IEPs and 504 plans. And will have a significant negative impact on the districts that serve a greater proportion of these categories of students.

  •  The Blueprint is fully funded through 2027 and is not contributing to the FY26 deficit. Revenue strategies promoted by Fair Share Maryland could address the longer-term funding challenges for the Blueprint.

 

Your voice can make a difference. Legislators need to hear about why this funding is essential from parents, educators, students, and community members.

Let your legislators know the Blueprint is working. Let’s keep accelerating forward - don't put a foot on the break pedal. 

Don't hesitate to reach out for more support!

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