Elected Leaders to Ask Governor Hogan to Release GCEI Funds

The leaders of some of the most populous jurisdictions in Maryland are expected to gather in front of the Maryland State House on Monday to ask Governor Larry Hogan to release the $68 million designated by the Maryland General Assembly to fully fund K-12 education through the Geographic Cost of Education Index (GCEI).

According to a Frederick County news release, the five jurisdictions that will be represented comprise 59% of the total K-12 public school population of Maryland, comprise 62% of the state’s students receiving special education services and serve 62% of the state’s free and reduced lunches.

The elected officials expected to attend the Monday rally at the State House in Annapolis include
Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner, Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, Baltimore City Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Montgomery County Councilmember Craig Rice, and Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker, III.

According to the Frederick County news release, Baltimore City and Baltimore, Frederick, Montgomery and Prince George’s counties each devote more than 50% of their entire operating budgets to support their schools, but still rely on the State of Maryland to fulfill its funding obligations, as outlined in the Maryland Constitution, and provide needed resources for students.

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