Thank you for your continued support and advocacy. Your emails, public comments, and steady engagement over the past two years have made a real difference. We are grateful.
What happened in July
In July, the State shared a draft funding rule that would have raised the administrative fee to 5% and made special education (SPED) “overage” deductions automatic across Maryland. This would have taken more dollars away from classrooms and was a serious concern for charter schools.
What changed in October
The State released a new draft in October that is a clear improvement. It defaults to a 2% administrative fee and removes automatic deductions. If a district wants to increase the fee (up to 5%) or apply other deductions, it must first obtain approval from the State. This approach is closer to how funding worked before the Blueprint changes were implemented.
What this means for our districts
We are optimistic that Anne Arundel County and Prince George’s County will maintain the 2% fee and not seek additional deductions. Importantly, any district that wants changes must apply in September for the following school year, with final numbers typically settled by January or February. That means there are no mid-year surprises for our schools.
What the draft still misses
The new draft does not recognize charter school facility costs, which take at least 15% of our budgets. It also allows districts to apply for other deductions with State approval. We will continue to urge the State to acknowledge the real costs that charter schools incur, which district schools do not bear.
Why some cuts will remain
Most of the budget reductions we have experienced, amounting to approximately 11%, are the result of the Blueprint formula and are expected to remain in place. Blueprint continues to drive school-based funding. These cuts arrived during a time of rising costs due to inflation and salary increases that we do not control, and we have had to make adjustments to protect teaching and learning.
What we are doing next
We are working with other charter schools to add common-sense guardrails, including clear caps on any deductions and a fair comparison with similar district schools that focus on school-level revenues. We will keep you informed about opportunities to share feedback if the State opens a public comment period.
Thank you
Our progress so far is a direct result of your efforts. The majority of messages received by decision-makers came from CMIT and CSP parents. Your voice continues to shape a fairer funding system for our students.
With appreciation,
Mr. Yilmaz Ak, Ed.S.
Chief Executive Officer
