Elrich Pledges to Fully Fund Schools Budget
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich — joined by members of the County Council and school officials — pledged Wednesday to fully fund the Montgomery County Public Schools budget.
Last month, Elrich released his 2020 budget request that provided about $2.6 billion for the school system. The figure was $14.5 million shy of the MCPS request. After Elrich released his budget, he faced a full-court press from education advocates to make up the difference.
Speaking on the steps of the County Office Building in Rockville, Elrich said the state will pay $5 million of the county’s costs to operate its 911 system. The money comes from legislation passed by the General Assembly and spearheaded by state Sen. Cheryl Kagan.
That $5 million, Elrich said, would fill part of the gap between the school system’s budget request and the county executive’s recommended budget.
The rest of the money would come from the state’s down payment of the Kirwan Commission funding. The commission, named for former University of Maryland chancellor Brit Kirwan, is developing new funding formulas for the state’s school districts. Although still to be formally passed, state lawmakers in the 2019 90-day session passed a bill that would provide some of the funding; Montgomery is slated to receive $24.4 million.
Elrich also said the school system could reduce its funding request.
School Board President Shebra Evans said she had no specifics of the reduction.
When Elrich released his spending plan, Councilmember Craig Rice had called it an “education last” budget. He wasn’t ready to change his assessment.
“The budget hasn’t changed as of yet so we have to see what comes from the county executive first,” he said. “We heard a commitment from the county executive he’s going to give MCPS a fully funded budget. That’s the most important takeaway that I have from this, and I intend to hold him accountable for that promise.”
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