Barton Gilman worked collaboratively with the Maryland Alliance of Public Charter Schools to secure a historic victory mandating equitable funding for its clients, Frederick Classical, Sabillasville Environmental School, Monocacy Valley Montessori and Carroll Creek Montessori, all public charter schools in Frederick County. The landmark decision issued by the Maryland State Board of Education resolves funding inequities in Frederick County, mandating Frederick County Public Schools return unrightfully withheld funds and comply with the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and charter school funding formulas. The decision sets a precedent for all Maryland School local school systems with public charter schools, affirming that nearly 25,000 public charter school students receive their fair share of funding while supporting the costs of districtwide special education.
“This decision represents justice for public charter school families across Maryland,” said McKenzie Allen, Executive Director of the Maryland Alliance of Public Charter Schools. “It guarantees that the resources intended for a child’s education are spent on that child, fulfilling the true promise of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.”
Major Points of the Ruling:
- Immediate Compliance and Repayment: The ruling goes into effect immediately, requiring Frederick County to return withheld funds to its public charter schools. All other districts must follow proper funding for the ’26 school year and beyond.
- Blueprint Funding as Revenue: All applicable Blueprint funding must be fully included in revenue calculations.
- Transparency and Accountability: School districts must show how funding calculations are made, providing fairness and clarity for charter schools.
- Special Education Costs: Excess costs for special education are recognized as a district-wide responsibility, ensuring equity without penalizing charter schools.
- Autonomy in Services: The ruling protects charter schools’ ability to negotiate or decline centrally administered services, apart from special education if the district decides to administer special education services to the school.
“This ruling represents a crucial win for charter school families, ensuring that Blueprint funding is directed where it’s needed most – following the child and addressing the financial challenges that have long threatened the viability of charter schools,” said Patricia A. Hennessy, co-chair of the firm’s Education Law Group. “It paves the way for greater sustainability and fairness in the Maryland public education landscape.”
The ruling requires immediate action from Frederick County, with other school districts expected to comply with proper funding formulas for the 2025-2026 school year. The Maryland Alliance of Public Charter Schools is committed to continuing its advocacy efforts, ensuring statewide compliance with equitable funding practices.
About Barton Gilman
Barton Gilman (bglaw.com) serves clients throughout the Northeast with offices in Boston, MA, Providence, RI, New York, NY, Philadelphia, PA, Milford, CT, and Fairfield, NJ offering legal services in over twenty-five service areas, including education law, employment, medical malpractice and aging services defense, professional liability defense, insurance coverage and bad faith litigation, product liability and general liability, business and commercial litigation, as well as immigration, family law, trusts and estates, criminal defense, corporate formation, intellectual property, and real estate. Committed to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, Barton Gilman achieved Midsize Mansfield Certification Plus status in 2023. The firm and its attorneys have received numerous awards and accolades, including Best Lawyers, Best Law Firms, Best Women-Led Law Firms, BridgeTower Media’s 2024 Best Places to Work: Law Firms List, Best Places to Work Rhode Island, Outstanding Philanthropic Business, Common Good Award, and Super Lawyers. For more information, please contact:
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