<section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-101" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Budget and Reporting Requirements"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to the rules and regulations of the State Board and with the advice of the county superintendent, each county board shall prepare an annual budget according to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The major categories listed in this section; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Any other major category required by the State Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In addition to the information required by this section, the county fiscal authorities may require the county board to provide details to the service areas and activities levels in the account structure within the “Financial Reporting Manual for Maryland Public Schools”.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>With the annual budget, each county board shall provide:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The number of full–time equivalent positions included within each major category; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A description of any fund balances or other money held by any outside source, including an insurer, that are undesignated or unreserved and are under the direction and control of the county board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The State Board shall adopt a process for the uniform reporting of the information in subsection (b) of this section to timely share the information provided by a county board in subsection (b) of this section to a county governing body.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The budget shall be prepared to include the following categories:</text> <text>Part I</text> <level label="1"> <text>Current expense fund, estimated receipts:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Revenue from local sources;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Revenue from State sources;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Revenue from federal sources;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Unliquidated surplus, the actual from the previous fiscal year and the estimated from the current fiscal year, whether accrued from revenues or expenditures; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Revenue from all other sources with identification of the source.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Current expense fund, requested appropriations:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Administration, which means those activities associated with the general regulations, direction, and control of the county board, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Executive administration;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Business support services; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Centralized support services;</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Mid–level administration, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The office of the school principal; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Staff providing administration and supervision to the school instructional programs;</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Instructional salaries, which means those activities which deal directly with teaching students, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Teachers;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Aides;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Psychological personnel;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Guidance counselors; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Library personnel;</text> </level> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Textbooks and classroom instructional supplies;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Other instructional costs;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>Special education with subcategories and items budgeted in this category to be determined by the State Board with the advice of the county board;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>Student personnel services;</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>Health services;</text> </level> <level label="ix"> <text>Student transportation;</text> </level> <level label="x"> <text>Operation of plant and equipment;</text> </level> <level label="xi"> <text>Maintenance of plant;</text> </level> <level label="xii"> <text>Fixed charges;</text> </level> <level label="xiii"> <text>Food services; and</text> </level> <level label="xiv"> <text>Capital outlay.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Current funds held in reserve, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Revenue to and expenditures from funds held in reserve in the prior fiscal year; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Appropriations planned in the upcoming fiscal year from funds held in reserve.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The amount of any federal funds received in the last fiscal year, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Expenditures of the federal funds in the prior fiscal year;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A description of whether the federal funds are committed for a particular purpose; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The anticipated timing to appropriate the federal funds in the upcoming fiscal year.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The amount of funds held in trust or otherwise dedicated toward long–term obligations for retiree health care costs or other postemployment benefits, and information used to calculate the county board’s obligation for those costs.</text> <text>Part II</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>School construction fund, estimated receipts:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Revenue from local sources;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Sale of bonds;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>State General Public School Construction Loan;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Revenue from State sources;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Revenue from federal sources;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>Unliquidated surplus, the actual from the previous fiscal year and the estimated for the current fiscal year, whether accrued from revenues or expenditures; and</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>Funds from all other sources, with identification of the source.</text> </level> </level> <level label="7"> <text>School Construction Fund, requested appropriations:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Land for school sites;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Buildings and the equipment that will be an integral part of a building by project;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>School site improvement by project;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Remodeling by project;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Additional equipment by project;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>Debt service; and</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>An amount that is adequate to satisfy a final court judgment that, after exhaustion of the rights of appeal, is rendered against the county board of education or any of its officers or employees.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>In addition to all other information required by this section, the Montgomery County Board of Education, on request of the County Executive and County Council, shall provide with the annual budget the program implications of recommendations for reductions to or increases in its annual budget, at whatever different levels of funding and accompanied by whatever reasonable supporting detail and analysis, as may be specified by the County Executive and County Council. Prior to the submission of the annual budget, similar information shall be submitted by the Superintendent of Schools upon request by the County Executive or County Council.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The budget document shall contain an addendum showing estimated expenditures for special education as defined by the “Financial Reporting Manual for Maryland Public Schools”.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>In addition to all other information required by this section, the Cecil County Board of Education, on request of the Cecil County Board of Estimates, shall provide with the annual budget separate information on the number of and costs associated with school–based noninstructional personnel.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>In addition to all other information required by this section, the Prince George’s County Board of Education shall provide to the County Executive and County Council with the annual budget, information relating to each of the following categories:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Instructional supplies and materials;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Additional equipment;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Replacement equipment; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Availability payments related to any public–private partnership agreement entered into under §§ 4–126 and 4–126.1 of this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For the categories specified in paragraph (1) of this subsection, the following information shall be provided for the public school system in the county:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Proposed expenditures for the next school year based on the annual budget;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Estimated expenditures for the current school year; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Actual expenditures for the prior school year.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-102" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Budget and Reporting Requirements"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle, “county council” means, in Baltimore City, the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Each county board shall submit an annual school budget in writing to the county commissioners, county council, or county executive.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The budget shall be submitted not less than 45 days before the date for levying local taxes or on an earlier date on or after March 1 as may be requested by the county fiscal authority.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection applies only to a county that has a county governing body that consists of a county executive and county council.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The county executive shall indicate in writing which major categories of the annual budget of the county board have been denied in whole or reduced in part and the reason for the denial or reduction.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>In Howard County, in addition to the information required under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, in the submission of the annual budget to the County Council, the County Executive shall indicate in writing the percentage of the county’s general fund revenue, excluding one–time expenses, that is allocated to the operating budget of the Board of Education and operating costs associated with the Howard County public school system, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Pension obligations;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Employee and retiree benefits;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Debt service;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>School and student safety; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Transportation.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The county council may restore any denial or reduction made by the county executive in the annual budget submitted by the county board.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>In Baltimore County, the County Council may not restore any denial or reduction made by the County Executive.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>This paragraph applies to Baltimore County and supersedes paragraph (4) of this subsection only if the voters of Baltimore County approve an amendment to the Baltimore County Charter that grants the County Council the authority to restore any denial or reduction made by the County Executive in the budget submitted by the county board. The Baltimore County Council may restore any denial or reduction made by the County Executive if it publicly states the amount the restoration represents in the county tax rate.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>In Baltimore City, the City Council may not restore any denial or reduction made by the Mayor.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>This paragraph applies to Baltimore City and supersedes paragraph (1) of this subsection only if the voters of Baltimore City approve an amendment to the Baltimore City Charter that grants the City Council the authority to restore any denial or reduction made by the Mayor in the budget submitted by the county board.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Baltimore City Council may restore any denial or reduction made by the Mayor if it publicly states the amount the restoration represents in the city tax rate.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>Copies of the budget shall be made available to the public, on request, at the time it is submitted by the county board.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>A copy of the budget as approved by the county commissioners or county council shall be sent to the State Superintendent within 30 days after approval and posted on the county board’s public–facing website, in an easily identifiable location.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>In Howard County, a copy of the budget as approved by the County Council shall include, in writing, the percentage of the county’s general fund revenue, excluding one–time expenses, that is appropriated to the operating budget of the Howard County Board of Education and operating costs associated with the Howard County public school system, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Pension obligations;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Employee and retiree benefits;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Debt service;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>School and student safety; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Transportation.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A copy of the budget submitted under subsection (b)(1) of this section shall be placed on the county board’s public–facing website, in an easily identifiable location.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-103" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Budget and Reporting Requirements"> <level label="a"> <text>The amount requested in the annual budget of each county board for current expenses for the next school year and that is to be raised by revenue from local sources may not be less than the minimum amount required to be levied under § 5–235(a)(1)(i) of this title.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The county commissioners or county council may provide funds that are more than the amount required by § 5–235(a)(1)(i) of this title to support improved and additional programs.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If a county council or board of county commissioners does not approve the amount requested in the budget that is more than the amount required by § 5–235(a)(1)(i) of this title:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The county council or board of county commissioners:</text> <level label="i"> <text>May not reduce the amount requested in the budget that is dedicated to satisfying a final court judgment; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Shall indicate in writing, within 15 days after the adoption of the budget, which major categories of the annual budget have been reduced and the reason for the reduction; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The county board shall submit to the county governing body, within 30 days after the adoption of the budget, a report indicating how the alterations to the budget will be implemented, accompanied by reasonable supporting detail and analysis.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-104" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Budget and Reporting Requirements"> <level label="a"> <text>Each county council or board of county commissioners shall levy and collect a tax on the assessable property of the county which, together with other local revenue available, including income tax revenues and bond money, and together with estimated revenues and funds from all sources, will produce the amounts necessary to meet the appropriations made in the approved annual budget of the county board.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Local funds provided for appropriations shall be paid in accordance with the expenditure requirements, as certified by the county board, to the treasurer of the county board on a monthly basis.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Appropriations for school construction, permanent improvements, and repairs for special purposes may be required to be paid more frequently on the order of the president and secretary of the county board to the county commissioners, county council, or the county executive.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Notwithstanding any other provision in this article, this subsection applies to Wicomico County.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Wicomico County Council annually shall pay to the Wicomico County Board the amount of the budget of the county board that has been approved by the County Council:</text> <level label="i"> <text>In 12 equal monthly installments; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>At the times on which the County Council and county board mutually agree.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Taxes levied under this section shall be retained by the county and any annual deficiencies in the tax are the responsibility of Wicomico County.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Notwithstanding any provision of a county charter that places a limit on that county’s property tax rate or revenues and subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, a county governing body may set a property tax rate that is higher than the rate authorized under the county’s charter or collect more property tax revenues than the revenues authorized under the county’s charter for the sole purpose of funding the approved budget of the county board including any payments by the county governing body on behalf of the county board to the Teachers’ Pension System and the Teachers’ Retirement System.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the county governing body sets a county property tax rate that is greater than the rate authorized under the county’s charter or collects more property tax revenues than the revenues authorized under the county’s charter, the county:</text> <level label="i"> <text>May not reduce funding provided to the county board from any other local revenue source below the funding level in the current county budget; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Shall appropriate to the county board all property tax revenues exceeding the amount that would have been available if the county charter limitation had applied.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>On or before December 31 of any year in which a county sets a property tax rate as provided in this subsection, the county shall report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly, on the property tax rate set, the additional amount of revenues generated, and the appropriation of the additional revenues.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-105" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Budget and Reporting Requirements"> <level label="a"> <text>All revenues received by a county board shall be spent by the board in accordance with the major categories of its annual budget as provided under § 5-101 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>A transfer may be made within the major categories without recourse to the county commissioners or county council except that a report of the transfer shall be submitted to the county commissioners or county council within 15 days after the end of each month.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A report under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph shall include a narrative summary that clearly indicates each transfer.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A transfer between major categories shall be made only with the approval of the county commissioners or county council.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If the county commissioners or county council fail to take action on a request for transfer between major categories within 30 days after the receipt of a written request substantiating the transfer, the failure to take action constitutes approval.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A county board shall submit to the county governing body a report within 15 days after the end of each month if during that month the county board takes any action that would commit the county board to spend more for the current fiscal year in any major category than the amount approved in the annual budget for that category.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>A report under paragraph (4) of this subsection shall include a narrative explanation of the action taken, indicating any request for transfer between categories that may become necessary for the fiscal year as a result of the action.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, nonlocal funds received by a county board after the adoption of the annual budget by the county fiscal authority may be spent by the county board if the county fiscal authority is notified and approves of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The source and amount of the funds; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The manner of spending the funds.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Funds received by the county board under § 2–608(a)(1) of the Tax – General Article after the adoption of the annual budget by the county fiscal authority may be spent by the county board after approval by the county fiscal authority under paragraph (2) of this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The county fiscal authority shall approve the amount of funds received by the county board under § 2–608(a)(1) of the Tax – General Article within 30 days after the Comptroller makes the distribution to the county board.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If the county fiscal authority fails to take action within 30 days after the distribution by the Comptroller, the failure to take action constitutes approval.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-106" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Budget and Reporting Requirements"> <text>On or before November 1 and March 1 of each fiscal year, the Anne Arundel County Board shall submit to the Anne Arundel County Council, and the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners shall submit to the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore a report detailing all expenditures within the major categories of its annual budget. The report also shall detail any action of the county board that would commit the county board to spend more in any major category in the annual budget for the current fiscal year than the amount approved in the annual budget for that category.</text> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-107" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Budget and Reporting Requirements"> <level label="a"> <text>If the county commissioners or county council does not appropriate the amount requested by the county board for capital projects, it shall indicate in writing which projects have been reduced, deferred, or eliminated and the reason for the reduction, deferral, or elimination.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The expenditure for school building construction shall be made in accordance with the cost approved by the county commissioners or county council for each project.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A transfer between major categories or of unexpended project balances is subject to the approval of the county commissioners or county council.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If the county commissioners or county council does not take action on a transfer within 30 days after the receipt of a written request substantiating the transfer, the failure to take action constitutes approval.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-109" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Budget and Reporting Requirements"> <level label="a"> <text>Each county board shall provide for an annual audit of its financial transactions and accounts.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The audit shall be made by a certified public accountant or a partnership of certified public accountants who are:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Licensed by the State Board of Public Accountancy; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Approved by the State Superintendent.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The audit shall be made in accordance with the standards and regulations adopted by the State Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The results of the audit, including the letter of recommendation submitted by the auditor, are a matter of public record.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The results shall be reported within 3 months after the close of the fiscal year for the county board on the form and in the manner required by the State Board to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The State Superintendent;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The county fiscal authority and the county council or the county commissioners;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee of the General Assembly;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>The Senate Budget and Taxation Committee;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>The Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>The House Appropriations Committee; and</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>The House Committee on Ways and Means.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>In addition to the audit required by this section, the county commissioners or county council may conduct an audit using auditors employed by the county.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-110" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Budget and Reporting Requirements"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “performance audit” means an assessment of an entity’s or program’s practices to determine whether the entity or program is operating economically and efficiently and whether corrective actions for improving its performance are appropriate.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>In the absence of an agreement between a county governing body and a county school board, the Department at the request of the county governing body shall contract for a performance audit of the county public school system to address the issues raised in the county’s request.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Department shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that a performance audit under this section is completed and the results of the audit are made available to the county board in time to be considered by the county board in the preparation of its budget for the next fiscal year.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The cost of a performance audit under this section shall be shared equally between the county governing body and the county board.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A performance audit for which the Department contracted under subsection (b) of this section:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Shall be conducted in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>May not include an assessment or evaluation of a county board’s efforts to meet the standards of the Maryland School Performance Program.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>Nothing in this section prevents a county governing body and a county school board from making an agreement to perform or contract for a performance audit of school board functions, including an agreement involving the scope of the performance audit or the responsibility for the funding of the performance audit.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-111" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Budget and Reporting Requirements"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Each county board shall make the reports required by the State Board and by the State Superintendent.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The reports shall be made at the time, include the items, and be on the forms required by the State Board and by the State Superintendent.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Each county board shall prepare, publish, and make available to interested parties an annual report on the condition, current accomplishments, and needs for improvement of the schools as well as a statement of the business and financial transactions of the county board.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>This report shall be published before the end of the calendar year.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The public schools of each county shall use a uniform method, as required by the county superintendent, for reporting the receipts, expenditures, and balances of the operations and activities conducted by the public schools.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>At the request of the county governing body made in writing at least 30 days before the reporting deadline, the county board or superintendent shall report to the county governing body on or before November 1 and March 1 of each fiscal year on the school system’s operations, including any adjustment made to the approved annual budget and post the report on the county board’s public–facing website, in an easily identifiable location.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A report under this subsection shall be made available to all interested persons.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>At the request of the county board made in writing at least 30 days before the reporting deadline the county governing body shall report to the county board on or before November 1 and March 1 of each fiscal year on the county’s fiscal status for the immediate fiscal year and the subsequent fiscal year and post the report on the county board’s public–facing website, in an easily identifiable location.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A report under this subsection shall be made available to all interested persons.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-111.1" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Budget and Reporting Requirements"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>On or before September 1 each year, beginning in 2027, each county board shall submit to the Department a written report containing the number of students that require additional support to meet grade 3 literacy proficiency.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The State Board may require each county board to submit additional information in the written report required under paragraph (1) of this subsection, including the mandated annual reporting information listed under the Comprehensive PreK–3 Literacy Policy adopted by the State Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>On or before November 1 each year, beginning in 2027, the Department shall compile and report the information submitted under subsection (a) of this section to the Governor, the State Board, and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The report submitted under this subsection shall be made publicly available on the Department’s website.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The State Board may adopt regulations to carry out this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-112" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Budget and Reporting Requirements"> <level label="a"> <text>This section does not apply to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Contracts for the purchase of books and other materials of instruction as defined in the State Department of Education Financial Reporting Manual;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Emergency repairs; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, a county board’s participation in contracts for goods or commodities that are awarded by other public agencies or by intergovernmental purchasing organizations if the lead agency for the contract follows public bidding procedures.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, in addition to the requirements of § 17–502 of the State Finance and Procurement Article, if the cost of any school building, improvement, supplies, or equipment is more than $100,000, the county board, at least 2 weeks before bids are to be filed, shall advertise for bids in a medium accessible to the general public, which includes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A newspaper of general circulation in the region;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>eMaryland Marketplace; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>An electronic posting on the local school system website.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the amount specified in paragraph (1) of this subsection differs from the amount in § 13–109(a) of the State Finance and Procurement Article, the amount in § 13–109(a) of the State Finance and Procurement Article shall apply under paragraph (1) of this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>The county board shall draft specifications that provide a clear and accurate description of the functional characteristics or the nature of an item to be procured, without modifying the county board’s requirements.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The specifications may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Include a statement of any of the county board’s requirements; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Provide for the submission of samples, inspection, or testing of the item before procurement.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, specifications that use one or more manufacturer’s product to describe the standard of quality, performance, or other characteristics needed to meet the county board’s requirements, must allow for the submission of equivalent products.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Subparagraph (i) of this paragraph does not apply if the county board determines in the written specification that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A particular manufacturer’s product is required to maintain compatibility of service or equipment;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A particular manufacturer’s product is required to meet the health needs of students;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Replacement parts or maintenance are a paramount consideration; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A product is purchased for resale.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>A contract for the school building, improvements, supplies, or other equipment shall be awarded to the responsible bidder who provides the best value and conforms to specifications with consideration given to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The quantities involved;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The time required for delivery;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The purpose for which required;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>The competency and responsibility of the bidder;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>The ability of the bidder to perform satisfactory service;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>The plan for utilization of minority contractors; and</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>The price offered by the bidder.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The county board may reject any and all bids and readvertise for other bids.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>In this subsection, the term “minority business enterprise” has the meaning stated in § 14–301 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In Montgomery County, by resolution and by implementing regulations, the Montgomery County Board of Education shall establish a minority business utilization program to facilitate the participation of responsible certified minority business enterprises in contracts awarded by the Montgomery County Board of Education in accordance with competitive bidding procedures.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>In this subsection, “green product cleaning supplies” means environmentally preferable cleaning and cleaning maintenance products and supplies intended for routine cleaning and cleaning maintenance that perform well and that have positive health and environmental attributes, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Biodegradability;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Low toxicity;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Low volatile organic compound content;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Reduced packaging;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Low life cycle energy use; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Lesser or reduced effects on human health and the environment when compared to competing products that serve the same purpose.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Green product cleaning supplies” includes:</text> <level label="1"> <text>General purpose cleaners;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Bathroom cleaners;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Carpet cleaners;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Glass cleaners;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Floor cleaners, floor finishes, and floor strippers;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Wall cleaners;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Desk cleaners;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>Surface cleaners;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>Window cleaners;</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>Whiteboard cleaners; and</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>Soap.</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>“Green product cleaning supplies” does not include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Room deodorizers;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Air fresheners;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Toilet deodorizers; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Hand cleaners.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>Subject to subsection (f) of this section, to the extent practicable, and economically feasible, a county board shall procure green product cleaning supplies for use in its schools.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>In accordance with subsection (b)(3) of this section, a county board shall draft specifications that provide a clear and accurate description of the functional characteristics or nature of the green product cleaning supplies that are to be procured.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The specifications drafted by a county board under subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph:</text> <level label="1"> <text>May not preclude the use when necessary of a disinfectant, disinfecting cleaner, sanitizer, or other antimicrobial product regulated by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act under 7 U.S.C. § 136 et seq.; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Shall allow for multiple avenues to obtain green product cleaning supplies certification, including:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>Green Seal, Green Label, Environmental Choice, TerraChoice, or Ecologo; and</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>Any other nationally recognized independent third–party entity that certifies environmentally preferable products that the county board determines to be appropriate.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2)(i) of this subsection, on or before July 1, 2013, a county board shall adopt written policies for the procurement of green product cleaning supplies for use in its schools.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The written policies shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Require the use of green product cleaning supplies;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>On or before July 1, 2014, establish guidelines for purchasing green product cleaning supplies that meet the certification requirements of any established and nationally recognized independent third–party entity that certifies environmentally preferable products and adheres to consensus standards for lesser or reduced effects on human health and the environment when compared to competing products that serve the same purpose;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Establish green cleaning practices, including storage, application, frequency of use, and disposal of the supplies to ensure that the occupants of a school building do not suffer any adverse health effects as the result of these practices; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Require staff training on implementing the policy.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>On or before June 30 each year, a county board that does not procure green product cleaning supplies for use in its schools because doing so is not practicable or economically feasible shall provide annual written notice of this fact to the Department.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>Nonpublic schools may participate under any contracts for goods or commodities that are awarded by county boards, other public agencies, or intergovernmental purchasing organizations, if the lead agency for the contract award follows public bidding procedures.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>A county board is encouraged, consistent with competitive bidding, to use bulk purchasing, bundling, and intergovernmental purchasing.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A county board may bundle, for approval and procurement purposes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Similar systemic renovation projects at different schools; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Interrelated systemic projects at a single school.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>A contract entered into or purchase made in violation of this section is void.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-113" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Budget and Reporting Requirements"> <level label="a"> <text>A county governing body may notify the Department that a local board has not complied with one or more reporting requirements under this subtitle or one of the expenditure limitations of § 5-105 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Department shall investigate a complaint filed under this section. If the State Superintendent determines, after taking into account aggravating and mitigating circumstances, that a violation has occurred without reasonable justification, for the next fiscal year following the final determination of a violation, the county board may not make a category expenditure, as defined by the Maryland Board of Education reporting manual, in excess of the category expenditure in the operating budget approved by the county governing body without the prior approval of the county governing body. If the county governing body fails to take action on a request for approval within 30 days after the receipt of a written request, the failure to take action constitutes approval.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-114" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Budget and Reporting Requirements"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Deficit” means a negative fund balance in the General Fund at the end of the fiscal year.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Structural deficit” means a projected negative fund balance in the General Fund that requires the transfer of reserve funds in order to avoid a deficit.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The State Superintendent and the Department shall monitor the financial status of each local school system.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>If a local school system does not file the annual audit results in a timely manner with the State Superintendent as required by § 5–109 of this subtitle, the State Superintendent shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Immediately notify:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The Department of Legislative Services;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The county governing body; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The local board and local superintendent or chief executive officer of the local school system; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Order that the audit report be filed within 10 days.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>A local school system may not carry a deficit as reported in the annual audit under § 5–109 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If a local school system has a deficit, the State Superintendent shall immediately notify the Governor, the General Assembly, the Department of Legislative Services, and county governing body and shall require the local school system to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Develop and submit for approval a corrective action cost containment plan within 15 days;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>File monthly status reports with the State Superintendent and county governing body demonstrating actions taken to close the deficit and the effect of the actions taken on the deficit; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Include information on the corrective action cost containment plan, actions taken to close the deficit, and status of the deficit in the annual audit under § 5–109 of this subtitle filed with the State Superintendent and county governing body.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>If a local school system has a structural deficit and transfers reserve funds into the General Fund in order to avoid a deficit, the local school system immediately shall notify the Governor, the General Assembly, the State Superintendent, the Department of Legislative Services, and the county governing body.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The State Superintendent shall require a local school system described in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph to submit a corrective action cost containment plan within 15 days and file monthly status reports with the State Superintendent and county governing body demonstrating actions taken to eliminate the structural deficit, the effect of the actions taken on the structural deficit, and a schedule to repay the reserve fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The State Superintendent shall include information on any local school system deficit or structural deficit, corrective action cost containment plan, actions taken to close a local school system deficit or structural deficit, and status of any local school system deficit or structural deficit in a quarterly report to the Governor and the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>If a local school system has a deficit or structural deficit:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The Office of Legislative Audits may request any financial information pertaining to the deficit or structural deficit and the corrective action cost containment plan; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The local superintendent or chief executive officer of a local school system shall provide the requested information.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>If a local school system fails to comply with the requirements of this section, the State Superintendent, with the approval of the State Board of Education, shall notify the State Comptroller, who shall withhold 10% of the next installment and each subsequent installment due the local school system from the General State School Fund until the State Superintendent notifies the Comptroller that the local school system is in full compliance with the requirements of this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-115" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Budget and Reporting Requirements"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section, “payee” means any party who receives an aggregate payment of $25,000 in a fiscal year from a school board.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Payee” does not include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A public school employee with respect to the employee’s compensation;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A public school retiree with respect to the retiree’s retirement allowance; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>In Baltimore County, a third–party payee that accepts employee payroll–related payments, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Recurring payments for payroll taxes;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Employee payroll deductions; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Investment–related activities relating to fund balances.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Beginning January 1, 2020, each county board shall annually report the following information for the immediately preceding fiscal year to the Department of Budget and Management:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The name of a payee receiving a payment;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The location of a payee by postal zip code;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The amount of a payment;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>For the Baltimore County Board of Education:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The purpose for the payment; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Whether the payee is a minority business enterprise; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="v"> <text>For the Prince George’s County Board of Education, the budget data prepared under § 5–101 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Each county board shall provide the information specified in paragraph (1)(i) of this subsection to the Department of Budget and Management for the following previous fiscal years:</text> <level label="i"> <text>For the Montgomery County Board of Education, fiscal years 2010 through 2018;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For the Howard County Board of Education, fiscal years 2011 through 2018;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>For the Baltimore County Board of Education, fiscal years 2012 through 2018;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>For the Prince George’s County Board of Education, fiscal years 2012 through 2018;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>For the Anne Arundel County Board of Education, fiscal years 2017 and 2018; and</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>For all other county boards, fiscal year 2018.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Department of Budget and Management shall post the information reported under paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection on its Funding Accountability & Transparency website.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>This section may not be construed to require the disclosure of information that is confidential under federal, State, or local law.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-201" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Aid to Education"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle, except as otherwise provided, the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Assessable base” has the meaning stated in:</text> <level label="1"> <text>§ 12–201 of the Economic Development Article; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For Baltimore City, Article II, § 62 of the Charter of Baltimore City.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>“Assessed value of personal property” means the most recent estimate by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation before the annual State budget is submitted to the General Assembly of the assessed value for county purposes of personal property as of July 1 of the first completed fiscal year before the school year for which the calculation is made under this section.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, “assessed value of real property” means the most recent estimate made by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation before the annual State budget is submitted to the General Assembly of the assessed value of real property for State purposes as of July 1 of the first completed fiscal year before the school year for which the calculation of State aid is made under this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>Subject to subparagraphs (ii), (iii), and (iv) of this paragraph, for counties that qualify for a disparity grant under § 16–501 of the Local Government Article and that established a development district under Title 12, Subtitle 2 of the Economic Development Article or Article II, § 62 of the Charter of Baltimore City after May 1, 2016, and is still in effect, using the assessed value of real property as of July 1 of the second completed fiscal year before the school year for which the calculation of State aid is made under this section, “assessed value of real property” does not include the lesser of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The difference between the original base and the assessable base of all real property in a development district that is subject to tax increment financing under Title 12, Subtitle 2 of the Economic Development Article or Article II, § 62 of the Charter of Baltimore City as certified by the State Department of Assessments and Taxation; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The quotient of the annual debt service for a tax increment financing bond in a development district divided by the county’s real property tax rate pledged to the tax increment financing bond multiplied by 100.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If the result of items 1 or 2 of subparagraph (i) of this paragraph is a negative number, then the result shall be $0.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The calculations under this paragraph shall be made separately for each development district in a county.</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>For Baltimore City, if the result of item 1 or 2 of subparagraph (i) of this paragraph is a positive number, then the amount is required to be appropriated by the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore City to the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Enrollment count” means the greater of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The full–time equivalent enrollment; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The 3–year moving average enrollment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Foundation program” means the product of the annual per pupil foundation amount and a county’s enrollment count.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>“Full–time equivalent enrollment” means the sum of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The number of students enrolled in kindergarten through grade 12 or their equivalent in regular day school programs on September 30 of the prior school year;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The number of full–time equivalent students, as determined by a regulation of the Department, enrolled in evening high school programs during the prior school year; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The number of P–TECH students, as provided in § 7–1804(b) of this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, “inflation adjustment” means a percentage, rounded to the nearest two decimal places, that is the lesser of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The increase in the implicit price deflator for State and local government expenditures for the second prior fiscal year;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for the Washington Metropolitan Area, or any successor index, for the second prior fiscal year; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>5%.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If there is no increase in the implicit price deflator for State and local government expenditures for the second prior fiscal year or in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for the Washington Metropolitan Area, or any successor index, for the second prior fiscal year, then “inflation adjustment” means 0%.</text> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>“Local contribution rate” means the figure that is calculated as follows:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Multiply the statewide full–time equivalent enrollment by the target per pupil amount and by 0.50; divided by</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The sum of the wealth of all of the counties in this State; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Round the result obtained in paragraph (2) of this subsection to seven decimal places and express as a percent with five decimal places.</text> </level> </level> <level label="j"> <text>“Local share of the foundation program” means the product of the local contribution rate and a county’s wealth rounded to the nearest whole dollar.</text> </level> <level label="k"> <text>“Local wealth per pupil” means a county’s wealth divided by the county’s full–time equivalent enrollment.</text> </level> <level label="l"> <text>“Major education aid” means the sum of the State and local share of the following:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Foundation program under § 5–213 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Transportation aid under § 5–218 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Compensatory education under § 5–222 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>English learner program under § 5–224 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Special education under § 5–225 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Guaranteed tax base program under § 5–214 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Comparable wage index grant under § 5–216 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>Post college and career readiness pathways under § 5–217 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>Concentration of poverty under § 5–223 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>Transitional supplemental instruction under § 5–226 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>Publicly funded prekindergarten under § 5–229 of this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="12"> <text>Career ladder for educators under § 6–1009 of this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="m"> <text>“Net taxable income” means the amount certified by the State Comptroller for the second completed calendar year before the school year for which the calculation of State aid under this section is made, based on tax returns filed on or before November 1 after the current calendar year.</text> </level> <level label="n"> <text>“Original base”:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Has the meaning stated in § 12–201 of the Economic Development Article; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For Baltimore City, means “original assessable base” as defined in Article II, § 62 of the Charter of Baltimore City.</text> </level> </level> <level label="o"> <text>“Personal property” means all property classified as personal property under § 8–101(c) of the Tax – Property Article.</text> </level> <level label="p"> <text>“Real property” means all property classified as real property under § 8–101(b) of the Tax – Property Article.</text> </level> <level label="q"> <text>“State share of the foundation program” means, rounded to the nearest whole dollar, the greater of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The difference between the foundation program and the local share of the foundation program; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The result obtained by multiplying the target per pupil foundation amount by the county’s enrollment count, and multiplying this product by 0.15 in fiscal year 2008 and each fiscal year thereafter.</text> </level> </level> <level label="r"> <text>“Statewide wealth per pupil” means the sum of the wealth of all counties divided by the statewide full–time equivalent enrollment.</text> </level> <level label="s"> <text>“Target per pupil foundation amount” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>For fiscal year 2022, $7,991;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For fiscal year 2023, $8,310;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>For fiscal year 2024, $8,642;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>For fiscal year 2025, $8,789;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>For fiscal year 2026, $9,226;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>For fiscal year 2027, $9,561;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>For fiscal year 2028, $9,789;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>For fiscal year 2029, $10,200;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>For fiscal year 2030, $10,625;</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>For fiscal year 2031, $11,047;</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>For fiscal year 2032, $11,483;</text> </level> <level label="12"> <text>For fiscal year 2033, $11,931;</text> </level> <level label="13"> <text>For fiscal year 2034, $12,381;</text> </level> <level label="14"> <text>For fiscal year 2035, $12,843; and</text> </level> <level label="15"> <text>For subsequent fiscal years, the target per pupil foundation amount for the prior fiscal year increased by the inflation adjustment rounded to the nearest whole dollar.</text> </level> </level> <level label="t"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, “3–year moving average enrollment” means the average of the full–time equivalent enrollment in the 3 prior school years.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the 3 prior school years includes the 2020–2021 school year, “3–year moving average enrollment” means:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The sum of the full–time equivalent enrollment for the 4 prior school years minus the 2020–2021 school year full–time equivalent enrollment; divided by</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Three.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="u"> <text>“Wealth” means the sum of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Net taxable income;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>100 percent of the assessed value of the operating real property of public utilities;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>40 percent of the assessed value of all other real property; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>50 percent of assessed value of personal property.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-202" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Aid to Education"> <text>On or before December 1, 2021, and each December 1 thereafter, the Department shall submit to the Department of Budget and Management and the Department of Legislative Services the enrollment counts and other data necessary to calculate the funding formulas to implement the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future for the upcoming fiscal year.</text> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-204" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Aid to Education"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Except for money appropriated for the purposes of § 5–301(b) through (j) of this title, all money appropriated by the General Assembly to aid in support of public schools constitutes the General State School Fund.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Money in the General State School Fund may be spent only as appropriated in the annual budget bill.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>The Department shall notify the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee and the House Committee on Appropriations of any intent to transfer funds from budget program R00A02, Aid to Education, to any other budgetary unit.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Senate Budget and Taxation Committee and the House Committee on Appropriations shall have 45 days to review and comment on the planned transfer prior to its effect.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Money in the General State School Fund may be appropriated by the General Assembly to the Annuity Bond Fund, as provided in the State budget, and shall be used for principal and interest payments on State debt incurred for public school construction or public school capital improvements.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-205" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Aid to Education"> <level label="a"> <text>Except as provided in subsections (e) and (f) of this section, 10 days before the end of July, September, November, January, March, and May, the State Superintendent shall certify to the State Comptroller the amount due at the end of each of these months to each county board for the annual State share of major education aid.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Amounts due shall be made in equal payments once every 2 months.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Within 5 days before the end of each of these months, the State Comptroller shall draw the Comptroller’s warrant on the State Treasurer for the amount due to the treasurer of each county board.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>On receipt of the warrant of the State Comptroller, the State Treasurer immediately shall pay the amount due to the treasurer of each county board.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>After notification from the State Superintendent that a county board is not complying with the provisions of the State program of public education, the State Comptroller shall withhold any installment due the county board from the General State School Fund.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>After notification is received under § 5–405 of this title, the State Superintendent shall certify to the Comptroller the amount to be released or withheld.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-206" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Aid to Education"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “Fund” means the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>There is the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The purpose of the Fund is to assist in providing adequate funding for early childhood education and primary and secondary education to provide a world–class education to students so they are prepared for college and a career in the global economy of the 21st century, based on the recommendations of the Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Department shall administer the Fund.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The Fund consists of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Revenue distributed to the Fund under Title 9, Subtitles 1D and 1E of the State Government Article and §§ 2–4A–02, 2–605.1, and 2–1303 of the Tax – General Article;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Money appropriated in the State budget for the Fund;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Interest earned by the Academic Excellence Fund established under § 6–1105 of this article; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>The Fund may be used only to assist in providing adequate funding for:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Early childhood education, primary and secondary education, and other programs, based on the recommendations of the Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education, including revised education funding formulas;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Maryland prekindergarten expansion grants; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Early childhood education, primary and secondary education, and other programs for costs associated with the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19), including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>One–time primary and secondary education aid grants provided in fiscal year 2022 to:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>Address enrollment declines related to the COVID–19 pandemic; and</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>Ensure that every county board receives an increase in State education aid over the amount of State education aid the county board received in fiscal year 2021; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Grants provided in fiscal years 2021 and 2022 for:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>Summer school programs, tutoring, and other supplemental instruction programs to address student learning loss;</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>Identification of and support for students dealing with trauma or behavioral health issues; and</text> </level> <level label="C"> <text>Schools to safely reopen for in–person instruction.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The Fund may not be used for school construction under Subtitle 3 of this title.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Fund may not be used to fund the Academic Excellence Program established under Title 6, Subtitle 11 of this article.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>The State Treasurer shall invest the money of the Fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any interest earnings of the Fund shall be credited to the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>Expenditures from the Fund may be made only in accordance with the State budget.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-207" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Aid to Education"> <text>If a final court judgment requires the State to include in the budget bill money to satisfy a judgment against the county board of education, the State may deduct that amount from any other State funds that would otherwise be paid to the county board of education under this subtitle in the following fiscal year.</text> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-208" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Aid to Education"> <text>Any employer Social Security contributions required by federal law for any employee of a county board or local school system shall remain the obligation of the employer.</text> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-209" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Aid to Education"> <level label="a"> <text>The Montgomery County Board shall provide from the Montgomery County Public Schools Employees’ Pension System Trust the supplemental retirement allowance required under subsection (b) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Montgomery County Board, through the Montgomery County Public Schools Employees’ Pension System Trust, shall pay a supplemental retirement allowance to an employee of the county board who retires on or after July 1, 1999, as a member of the Teachers’ Pension System of the State of Maryland.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The supplemental retirement allowance shall equal the product of the member’s years of creditable service earned in the Montgomery County Public Schools Employees’ Pension System times the sum of:</text> <level label="i"> <level label="0"> <text>08% of the retiree’s average final compensation that does not exceed the Social Security integration level; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <level label="0"> <text>15% of the retiree’s average final compensation that exceeds the Social Security integration level.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-210" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Aid to Education"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund estimate” means the estimate of revenues to be distributed to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund established under § 5–206 of this subtitle by the Board of Revenue Estimates as required by § 6–106 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“General Fund estimate” means the estimate of General Fund revenues by the Board of Revenue Estimates as required by § 6–106 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Beginning December 1, 2024, and each December 1 thereafter, for fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal year thereafter, if there is a cumulative reduction in the December General Fund estimate and the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund estimate in the December Board of Revenue Estimates report for that fiscal year that is at least 3.75% below the March General Fund estimate and the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund estimate in the March Board of Revenue Estimates report for that fiscal year, notwithstanding any other provision of law:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Per pupil formula increases in major education aid required under this subtitle shall be 0%; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any additional funding increases required under this subtitle shall be limited to 0%.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Governor shall include the limitation on increases required under subsection (b) of this section in the annual budget bill in the General Assembly session immediately following the December Board of Revenue Estimates report.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-212" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Aid to Education"> <level label="a"> <text>The target per pupil foundation amount includes costs associated with implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Increasing salaries;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Additional teachers to provide professional learning and collaborative time for teachers;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Career counseling;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Behavioral health;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Instructional opportunities for students who are college and career ready and those who are not;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Maintenance and operation of schools;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Supplies and materials for teachers; and</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>Educational technology including digital devices, broadband connectivity, and information technology staff.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Schools may use funds provided under this section to provide the programs required under COMAR 13A.04.16.01.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>County boards of education and schools shall prioritize the purchase of digital devices for using funds under subsection (a)(8) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Additional funds provided in the target per pupil foundation amount for educational technology are intended to supplement and not supplant existing funding provided for educational technology.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>On or before November 15 each year, each county board shall submit a report to the Department detailing, for the previous fiscal year:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The amount spent by the local school system on technology disaggregated by digital devices, connectivity, and information technology staff; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The percentage of students, teachers, and staff with digital devices and adequate connectivity in their homes in accordance with the Federal Communications Commission standards for broadband.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>On or before December 15 each year, the Department shall submit to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, a compilation of the reports submitted to the Department under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>On or before September 1, 2021, the Department shall establish uniform reporting requirements, including definitions to ensure that consistent and comparable reports are submitted under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-213" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Aid to Education"> <level label="a"> <text>Each fiscal year, the State shall distribute the State share of the foundation program to each county board.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Except as provided in subsections (c) and (d) of this section, each fiscal year, the county board shall distribute to each school the minimum school funding amount for the foundation program calculated under § 5–234 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Each county board shall distribute to the local workforce development board for the county the following amount multiplied by the enrollment count in the county:</text> <level label="i"> <text>For fiscal year 2024, $62; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For fiscal years 2025 through 2028, the prior fiscal year amount increased by the inflation adjustment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The funds distributed under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be used to support the Career Counseling Program for Middle and High School Students established under § 7–127 of this article that is provided collaboratively by the workforce development board, the school, any other relevant State or local agencies, and employers.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>On or before June 30, 2024, and in each of the next 4 fiscal years, the local workforce development board, in collaboration with the county board and any other relevant State or local agencies, shall report to the Accountability and Implementation Board established under Subtitle 4 of this title on the use of the funds and the impact of the funds on providing career counseling.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>On or before January 1, 2027, the Accountability and Implementation Board shall report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on the effectiveness of the Career Counseling Program for Middle and High School Students, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Whether career counseling services have adequately prepared students for post–college and career readiness pathways, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Percentage of students who completed a career readiness assessment;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Student self–reported confidence levels in career readiness;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Number of students participating in career counseling sessions and completing a 6–year career plan by the end of 8th grade;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Number of students who participated in career exploration activities, including field trips, college or training center visits, career fairs, or registered apprenticeship programs;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Number of students who identified post–college and career readiness pathway preferences; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Percentage of students applying to postsecondary education, career training programs, or registered apprenticeships;</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Whether students have received high–quality career opportunities as a result of the Program, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Number of students participating in registered apprenticeships, internships, job shadowing, or other workplace opportunities facilitated by the Program;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Employer satisfaction ratings of student preparedness and performance;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Number of students securing a registered apprenticeship or part–time employment related to their field of interest after engaging with the Program before graduation; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Number of new employer collaborations each year; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Identifying long–term metrics for the Program to determine the Program’s effectiveness in guiding high school students toward satisfactory career paths after completing high school, including consideration of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Employment rate of program graduates within 6 to 12 months post graduation;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Percentage of students employed in their field of interest or related industry within 1 year of graduation;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Student–reported job satisfaction and career alignment based on follow–up surveys;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>College persistence and completion rates for students who participated in the Program; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Reduction in the number of students who are unemployed or not participating in a postsecondary education program compared to pre–Program data.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>In this subsection, “collaborative time per pupil amount” means:</text> <level label="i"> <text>For fiscal year 2029, $334;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For fiscal year 2030, $512;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>For fiscal year 2031, $698;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>For fiscal year 2032, $891;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>For fiscal year 2033, $1,093;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>For fiscal year 2034, $1,306;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>For fiscal year 2035, $1,527; and</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>For each fiscal year thereafter, the collaborative time per pupil amount in the prior fiscal year increased by the inflation adjustment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The collaborative time per pupil amount multiplied by the enrollment count in each county shall be distributed to and expended by schools in each county in accordance with Title 6, Subtitle 10 of this article and the county’s collaborative time implementation plan approved by the Accountability and Implementation Board.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-214" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Aid to Education"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following terms have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Additional education appropriation” means the difference between a county’s education appropriation for the prior fiscal year and the county’s local share of the foundation program calculated under § 5–201 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Additional education effort” means a county’s additional education appropriation divided by the county’s wealth, rounded to seven decimal places.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Guaranteed tax base program per pupil amount” means the lesser of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>20% of the annual per pupil foundation amount; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The product of a county’s additional education effort and the difference between guaranteed wealth per pupil and local wealth per pupil.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>“Guaranteed wealth per pupil” means 80% of the statewide wealth per pupil.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>For fiscal year 2005 and each fiscal year thereafter, the State shall distribute guaranteed tax base grants to county boards as provided in this section.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A county board is eligible to receive a guaranteed tax base grant if the county’s:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Additional education effort is greater than zero; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Local wealth per pupil is less than the guaranteed wealth per pupil.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The amount of the guaranteed tax base grant shall be equal to the product of the county’s guaranteed tax base program per pupil amount and the county’s enrollment count.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-215" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Aid to Education"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to subsection (b) of this section, for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2029, the State shall distribute to each county board the following Blueprint Transition Grant amounts:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Allegany County………………………………………………. $10,348</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Baltimore City……………………………………………. $18,669,201</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Baltimore County………………………………………….. $2,953,950</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Caroline County……………………………………………… $966,820</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Cecil County……………………………………………………. $49,060</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Dorchester County………………………………………… $1,321,515</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Garrett County…………………………………………….. $1,201,160</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>Howard County………………………………………………... $41,743</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>Kent County………………………………………………... $1,005,090</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>Montgomery County………………………………………. $7,712,745</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>Prince George’s County………………………………… $20,505,652; and</text> </level> <level label="12"> <text>St. Mary’s County………………………………………… $3,251,181.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>For fiscal years 2025 through 2030, the State shall distribute the following proportion of the Blueprint Transition Grant amount under subsection (a) of this section to each county board:</text> <level label="1"> <text>For fiscal year 2025, 85%;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For fiscal year 2026, 65%;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>For fiscal year 2027, 50%;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>For fiscal year 2028, 35%;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>For fiscal year 2029, 20%; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>For fiscal year 2030 and each fiscal year thereafter, 0%.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-216" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Aid to Education"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subsection, “comparable wage index (CWI) adjustment” means, for each county, the foundation program multiplied by:</text> <level label="1"> <level label="0"> <text>000 in Allegany;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="0"> <text>109 in Anne Arundel;</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="0"> <text>066 in Baltimore City;</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="0"> <text>065 in Baltimore;</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <level label="0"> <text>079 in Calvert;</text> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <level label="0"> <text>000 in Caroline;</text> </level> </level> <level label="7"> <level label="0"> <text>000 in Carroll;</text> </level> </level> <level label="8"> <level label="0"> <text>000 in Cecil;</text> </level> </level> <level label="9"> <level label="0"> <text>055 in Charles;</text> </level> </level> <level label="10"> <level label="0"> <text>000 in Dorchester;</text> </level> </level> <level label="11"> <level label="0"> <text>047 in Frederick;</text> </level> </level> <level label="12"> <level label="0"> <text>000 in Garrett;</text> </level> </level> <level label="13"> <level label="0"> <text>073 in Harford;</text> </level> </level> <level label="14"> <level label="0"> <text>131 in Howard;</text> </level> </level> <level label="15"> <level label="0"> <text>000 in Kent;</text> </level> </level> <level label="16"> <level label="0"> <text>166 in Montgomery;</text> </level> </level> <level label="17"> <level label="0"> <text>129 in Prince George’s;</text> </level> </level> <level label="18"> <level label="0"> <text>000 in Queen Anne’s;</text> </level> </level> <level label="19"> <level label="0"> <text>079 in St. Mary’s;</text> </level> </level> <level label="20"> <level label="0"> <text>000 in Somerset;</text> </level> </level> <level label="21"> <level label="0"> <text>000 in Talbot;</text> </level> </level> <level label="22"> <level label="0"> <text>000 in Washington;</text> </level> </level> <level label="23"> <level label="0"> <text>000 in Wicomico; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="24"> <level label="0"> <text>000 in Worcester.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>For fiscal year 2024 and each fiscal year thereafter, in addition to the foundation program each county shall receive a grant to reflect the regional differences of the cost to hire personnel that are due to factors outside of the control of the local jurisdiction.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The amount of the grant under this section shall equal, for each county, the product of the CWI adjustment and:</text> <level label="i"> <text>49% in fiscal year 2024;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>49% in fiscal year 2025;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>47% in fiscal year 2026;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>46% in fiscal year 2027;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>45% in fiscal year 2028;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>44% in fiscal year 2029;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>43% in fiscal year 2030;</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>42% in fiscal year 2031;</text> </level> <level label="ix"> <text>42% in fiscal year 2032; and</text> </level> <level label="x"> <text>41% in fiscal year 2033 and each fiscal year thereafter.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Subject to subsection (c) of this section, the State share and local share of the grant calculated under paragraph (2) of this subsection shall be calculated in the same manner as the State share and local share of the foundation program.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Each fiscal year the county board shall distribute to each school the minimum school funding amount for the grant calculated under § 5–234 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-217" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Aid to Education"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“CCR per pupil amount” means:</text> <level label="i"> <text>For fiscal year 2022, $517; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For each fiscal year thereafter, the CCR per pupil amount in the prior fiscal year increased by the inflation adjustment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“CCR program amount” means, for each county, the product of the total number of CCR students in the prior school year and the CCR per pupil amount.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“CCR student” means a student who is college and career ready, as demonstrated by having met the college and career readiness standard adopted by the State Board under § 7–205.1 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>“Local share” means, for each county, the result of the CCR program amount minus the State share rounded to the nearest whole dollar.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>“State share” means, for each county, the result, rounded to the nearest whole dollar, of the following calculation multiplied by 0.5:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Multiply the CCR per pupil amount by the number of CCR students;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Divide the result calculated under item (i) of this paragraph by the ratio, rounded to seven decimal places, of local wealth per pupil to statewide wealth per pupil; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Multiply the result calculated under item (ii) of this paragraph by the result, rounded to seven decimal places, that results from dividing the total program amount by the sum of all of the results calculated under item (ii) of this paragraph for all counties.</text> </level> </level> <level label="7"> <text>“Total program amount” means the product of the CCR per pupil amount and the number of CCR students in the State.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Each fiscal year, the State shall distribute the State share of the CCR program amount to each county board.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Each fiscal year, the county board shall distribute to each school the minimum school funding amount for college and career readiness calculated under § 5–234 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-218" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Aid to Education"> <level label="a"> <text>The State shall distribute grants as provided under this section to the county boards to provide transportation services for public school students and disabled children for whom transportation is to be provided under § 8–410 of this article. Appropriations for student transportation shall be budgeted in a separate budget category as provided in § 5–101 of this title. If the amount that is appropriated to a county under this section in a fiscal year is more than the actual cost of providing student transportation services in that county, a county board may apply any excess funds to costs of pupil transportation in subsequent years. None of these funds may be paid to or claimed by any subdivision, nor may any of these funds be reverted to any subdivision. A county board may not transfer State revenues from the student transportation category to any other category as a result of this section.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>For the purpose of calculating the 2004 base grants for student transportation to county boards, the following amounts shall be used as the fiscal year 2003 base grant amounts:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Allegany $2,838,327</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Anne Arundel $12,716,216</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Baltimore City $10,303,967</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Baltimore $15,715,504</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Calvert $3,294,141</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Caroline $1,580,176</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Carroll $5,738,454</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>Cecil $2,997,774</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>Charles $5,813,595</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>Dorchester $1,465,299</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>Frederick $6,620,447</text> </level> <level label="12"> <text>Garrett $1,886,605</text> </level> <level label="13"> <text>Harford $7,277,627</text> </level> <level label="14"> <text>Howard $8,460,292</text> </level> <level label="15"> <text>Kent $985,359</text> </level> <level label="16"> <text>Montgomery $18,663,456</text> </level> <level label="17"> <text>Prince George’s $21,018,217</text> </level> <level label="18"> <text>Queen Anne’s $1,952,856</text> </level> <level label="19"> <text>St. Mary’s $3,673,545</text> </level> <level label="20"> <text>Somerset $1,143,107</text> </level> <level label="21"> <text>Talbot $981,334</text> </level> <level label="22"> <text>Washington $3,784,100</text> </level> <level label="23"> <text>Wicomico $3,001,531</text> </level> <level label="24"> <text>Worcester $1,856,978</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>In this subsection, “full–time equivalent enrollment” has the meaning stated in § 5–202 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Subject to the limitations under paragraph (3) of this subsection, for fiscal year 2004 and every year thereafter the amount of a county’s base grant for student transportation shall be equal to the amount of the county’s base grant for student transportation for the previous year increased by the same percentage as the increase in the private transportation category of the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers, for the Washington Metropolitan Area, as of July of the fiscal year preceding the year for which the amount is being calculated, plus an additional amount equal to the product of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The total amount of funds distributed by the State as base grants for student transportation for the previous fiscal year divided by the statewide full–time equivalent enrollment for the previous fiscal year; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The difference between the full–time equivalent enrollment in a county for the current fiscal year and the full–time equivalent enrollment in the county for the previous fiscal year, or, if the full–time equivalent enrollment in a county for the current fiscal year is less than the full–time equivalent enrollment in the county for the previous fiscal year, zero.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>Except as provided in subparagraphs (ii) and (iii) of this paragraph, the increase in the amount of a base grant for student transportation that is based on the increase in the private transportation category of the Consumer Price Index may not be less than 1 percent nor more than 8 percent of the amount of the grant for the previous year.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For fiscal year 2011, the increase in the amount of a base grant for student transportation that is based on the increase in the private transportation category of the Consumer Price Index shall be 1 percent of the amount of the grant for the previous year.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>For each of fiscal years 2012 through 2015, the increase in the amount of a base grant for student transportation that is based on the increase in the private transportation category of the Consumer Price Index may not be more than 1 percent of the amount of the grant for the previous year.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>For each fiscal year, in addition to the base grant for student transportation provided under subsection (c) of this section, a disabled student transportation grant shall be distributed to each county board. The amount of the grant to each board shall be equal to the product of the number of disabled students requiring special transportation services who are transported by the county board in the previous fiscal year and:</text> <level label="1"> <text>$600 in fiscal year 2004;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>$700 in fiscal year 2005;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>$800 in fiscal year 2006;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>$900 in fiscal year 2007; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>$1,000 in fiscal year 2008 and each fiscal year thereafter.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>For the purposes of determining the amount of the grant provided under subsection (d) of this section, the State Board shall develop a procedure and adopt regulations for determining the number of disabled students transported in each jurisdiction in the previous fiscal year.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The State Board shall adopt rules and regulations that provide for the safe operation of the student transportation system of each county board of education.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-219" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Aid to Education"> <text>For the regional cost differences of providing education services, the State shall distribute in fiscal year 2022 and 2023 the following amounts to the following county boards:</text> <text>County Board Fiscal Year 2022 Fiscal Year 2023</text> <text>Anne Arundel $11,279,907 $11,648,498</text> <text>Baltimore City $23,001,580 $23,399,130</text> <text>Baltimore $6,714,151 $6,903,262 Calvert $2,441,896 $2,468,678 Carroll $2,581,183 $2,626,795 Charles $4,008,206 $4,119,541 Frederick $7,629,055 $7,829,066 Howard $6,541,811 $6,781,197 Kent $136,228 $137,449 Montgomery $41,131,349 $42,290,391 </text> <text>Prince George’s $47,196,798 $48,807,990 </text> <text>Queen Anne’s $615,392 $630,307 St. Mary’s $259,366 $267,347 </text> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-221" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Aid to Education"> <level label="a"> <text>In this part the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Local share” means the county program amount for each county minus the result calculated under subsection (c)(1) of this section for each county rounded to the nearest whole dollar.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, “State share” means, for each county, rounded to the nearest whole dollar, the greater of the following calculations multiplied by 0.5:</text> <level label="i"> <level label="1"> <text>Multiply the per pupil amount by the county’s enrollment applicable under § 5–222, § 5–223, § 5–224, § 5–225, or § 5–226 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Divide the result calculated under item 1 of this item by the ratio, rounded to seven decimal places, of local wealth per pupil to statewide wealth per pupil; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Multiply the result calculated under item 2 of this item by the result, rounded to seven decimal places, that results from dividing the total program amount by the sum of all of the results calculated under item 2 of this item for all counties; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The result obtained by multiplying the per pupil amount by the county’s enrollment applicable under § 5–222, § 5–224, or § 5–225 of this subtitle and by 0.8.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For the concentration of poverty per pupil grant under § 5–223 of this subtitle and for transitional supplemental instruction under § 5–226 of this subtitle, “State share” means the calculation under paragraph (1)(i) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, “county program amount” means, for each county, the product of the per pupil amount and the county enrollment applicable under § 5–222, § 5–223, § 5–224, § 5–225, or § 5–226 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For the per pupil grant in the concentration of poverty program, “county program amount” has the same meaning as “per pupil grant amount” defined under § 5–223 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Total program amount” means the sum of the county program amount for each county applicable under § 5–222, § 5–223, § 5–224, § 5–225, or § 5–226 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-222" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Aid to Education"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>“Compensatory education enrollment” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph, for fiscal years 2017 through 2028, the greater of:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>The number of students eligible for free or reduced price meals for the prior fiscal year;</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>For county boards that participate, in whole or in part, in the United States Department of Agriculture community eligibility provision, the number of students equal to the greater of:</text> </level> <level label="I"> <text>The sum of the number of students in participating schools identified by direct certification for the prior fiscal year, plus the number of students identified by the income information provided by the family to the school system on an alternative form developed by the Department for the prior fiscal year, plus the number of students eligible for free and reduced price meals from any schools not participating in the community eligibility provision for the prior fiscal year; or</text> <text>II. Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, the number of students eligible for free and reduced price meals at schools not participating in the community eligibility provision for the prior fiscal year, plus the product of the percentage of students eligible for free and reduced price meals at participating schools for the fiscal year prior to opting into the community eligibility provision multiplied by the prior fiscal year enrollment; or</text> </level> <level label="C"> <text>The number of students directly certified and who are enrolled in a public school in the county in the prior fiscal year; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For fiscal year 2029 and each fiscal year thereafter, the greater of:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>The number of students eligible for free or reduced price meals using the United States Department of Agriculture count or the alternative State form for the prior fiscal year; or</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>The number of direct certification students who are enrolled in a public school in the county in the prior fiscal year.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For the purpose of the calculation under subparagraph (i)1BII of this paragraph, the schools participating in the community eligibility provision during the pilot year may use the percentage of students identified for free and reduced price meals during the pilot year.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>For the purpose of the calculation under subparagraph (i)1 of this paragraph, direct certification multiplied by the multiplier may be used only for schools that did not exist prior to the year the school system opted into the United States Department of Agriculture community eligibility provision.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>For fiscal years 2022 through 2025, “compensatory education per pupil amount” means the following proportions of the target per pupil foundation amount:</text> <level label="1"> <text>For fiscal year 2022, 91%;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For fiscal year 2023, 89%;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>For fiscal year 2024, 87%; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>For fiscal year 2025, 86%.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Beginning in fiscal year 2026, “compensatory education per pupil amount” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>For fiscal year 2026, $7,842;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For fiscal year 2027, $7,786;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>For fiscal year 2028, $7,908;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>For fiscal year 2029, $8,029;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>For fiscal year 2030, $8,363;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>For fiscal year 2031, $8,582;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>For fiscal year 2032, $8,448;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>For fiscal year 2033, $9,026; and</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>For subsequent fiscal years, the compensatory education per pupil amount for the prior fiscal year increased by the inflation adjustment rounded to the nearest whole dollar.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Direct certification” means the certification of the income eligibility of a child under the following programs:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Temporary Assistance for Needy Families;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Foster care;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Head Start;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Even Start;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>Migrant students;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>Homeless students; and</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>Medicaid and the Maryland Children’s Health Program, up to 189% of the federal poverty level.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>“Eligible for free or reduced price meals” means eligible for free or reduced price meals based on eligibility requirements established by the United States Department of Agriculture.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Each fiscal year, the State shall distribute the State share for compensatory education to each county board.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Each fiscal year, the county board shall distribute to each school the minimum school funding amount for compensatory education calculated under § 5–234 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, the State alternative income eligibility form shall be collected by each school that is participating in the United States Department of Agriculture community eligibility provision and may be collected by all other schools.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The State alternative income eligibility form shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Be developed by the Department;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Include a statement indicating that the income information requested on the form is used to determine local and State funding for education; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Be available in an electronic format and allow a family to opt out of returning the form to the collecting school.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A school under paragraph (1) of this subsection may not be required to collect the State alternative income eligibility form until the school year after the form has been adopted by the Department after a period of comment from local school systems.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-223" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Aid to Education"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Community school” means a community school under Title 9.9 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, “concentration of poverty level” means the average percentage of eligible students of the school’s enrollment for the 3 prior school years rounded to the nearest whole percent.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If the 3 prior school years includes the 2020–2021 school year, “concentration of poverty level” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The sum of the percentage of eligible students of the school’s enrollment for the 4 prior school years minus the 2020–2021 school year percentage of eligible students; divided by</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Three; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Rounded to the nearest whole percent.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>“Eligible school” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>For the personnel grant, a public school, including a public charter school, with a concentration of poverty level of:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>For fiscal year 2020, at least 80%;</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>For fiscal year 2021, at least 75%;</text> </level> <level label="C"> <text>For fiscal year 2022, at least 70%;</text> </level> <level label="D"> <text>For fiscal year 2023, at least 65%;</text> </level> <level label="E"> <text>For fiscal year 2024, at least 60%; and</text> </level> <level label="F"> <text>For fiscal year 2025, and each fiscal year thereafter, at least 55%; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For the per pupil grant, a public school, including a public charter school, with a concentration of poverty level of:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>For fiscal year 2022, at least 80%;</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>For fiscal year 2023, at least 75%;</text> </level> <level label="C"> <text>For fiscal year 2024, at least 70%;</text> </level> <level label="D"> <text>For fiscal year 2025, at least 65%;</text> </level> <level label="E"> <text>For fiscal year 2026, at least 60%; and</text> </level> <level label="F"> <text>For fiscal year 2027, and each fiscal year thereafter, at least 55%.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Eligible school” includes an alternative option program in the local school system if the students in the program are not included in the count of eligible students for another program or school to determine eligibility for the concentration of poverty grant.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>“Eligible school” does not include a school that is eligible to receive funding under this section but has closed.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>“Eligible student” means the compensatory education enrollment as defined in § 5–222 of this subtitle in the second prior fiscal year rounded to the nearest whole number.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>“Locally funded county” means a county board that receives a compensatory education State share under § 5–221(c)(1)(ii) of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>“Needs assessment” means the assessment completed under § 9.9–104 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>“Per pupil grant amount” means, for all eligible schools in the county, the per pupil amount for each eligible school calculated under subsection (d) of this section multiplied by the number of eligible students in the school.</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>“Per pupil maximum amount” means:</text> <level label="i"> <text>For fiscal year 2022, $3,374.48; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For each subsequent fiscal year, the prior fiscal year amount increased by the inflation adjustment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="10"> <text>“Program” means the Concentration of Poverty School Grant Program established under this section.</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>“Sliding scale adjustment factor” means:</text> <level label="i"> <text>For fiscal year 2022, $7,422.33; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For each subsequent fiscal year, the prior fiscal year amount increased by the inflation adjustment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="12"> <text>“Sliding scale upper limit” means:</text> <level label="i"> <text>For fiscal year 2022, $13,495.15; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For each subsequent fiscal year, the prior fiscal year amount increased by the inflation adjustment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="13"> <text>“State funded county” means a county that is not a locally funded county.</text> </level> <level label="14"> <text>“Wraparound services” includes the wraparound services defined under § 9.9–101 of this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>There is a Concentration of Poverty School Grant Program in the State.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The purpose of the Program is to provide grants to eligible schools with a high concentration of eligible students.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Program consists of the:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Personnel grant; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Per pupil grant.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>For fiscal year 2022, the State shall distribute a personnel grant to each county board equal to $248,833 for each eligible school in the county.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>In each subsequent fiscal year, the personnel grant equals the personnel grant in the prior fiscal year increased by the inflation adjustment.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (g) of this section, each county board shall distribute directly to each eligible school the amount provided under paragraph (1)(i) and (ii) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>Each eligible school shall employ one community school coordinator staff position in the eligible school.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <level label="1"> <text>Each eligible school shall provide full–time coverage by at least one professional health care practitioner during school hours, including any extended learning time, who is a licensed physician, a licensed physician’s assistant, or a licensed registered nurse, practicing within the scope of the health care practitioner’s license.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A health care practitioner providing coverage under this subparagraph may work under a school health services program, a county health department, or a school–based health center.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>This subparagraph may not be construed to:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>Require that an eligible school hire a full–time health care practitioner staff position; or</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>Preclude the hiring of any other health care practitioners that meet the needs of the students.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Each eligible school shall use the personnel grant to fund the requirements under paragraph (2) of this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>If the personnel grant provided to an eligible school exceeds the cost to employ the positions and provide the coverage required under paragraph (2) of this subsection, the eligible school may only use the excess funds to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Provide wraparound services to the students enrolled in the eligible school;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Complete the needs assessment; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>In fiscal years 2021 through 2025, provide the requirements under COMAR Title 13A, Subtitle 04, including 13A.04.16.01.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <level label="i"> <text>If an eligible school, prior to receiving a personnel grant, employs an individual in a position or has the coverage required under paragraph (2) of this subsection, at least the same amount of funds shall be provided to the eligible school to be used for those positions or coverage after receiving a personnel grant.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If an eligible school satisfies subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, then the school shall use the personnel grant in accordance with paragraph (4) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <text>The community school coordinator shall be subject to the requirements under § 9.9–104 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>A county that provides a school nurse, school health services, or community school services from funds outside of those made in the fiscal year 2019 local appropriation to the county board shall continue to provide at least the same resources to an eligible school through fiscal year 2030.</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>If an eligible school becomes ineligible, the school shall remain entitled to the personnel grant for two school years after the school loses eligibility but may not receive the per pupil grant.</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>The personnel and per pupil grant may be used to provide the programs required under COMAR Title 13A, Subtitle 04, including 13A.04.16.01.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <level label="1"> <text>Eligible schools with a concentration of poverty level of at least 80% shall receive a per pupil grant beginning in fiscal year 2022.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>All other eligible schools shall receive the per pupil grant 1 year after becoming eligible and on completion of the needs assessment required under § 9.9–104 of this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, each eligible school shall receive a per pupil grant each fiscal year equal to the product of the total number of eligible students in the school and the per pupil amount based on the sliding scale under paragraph (2) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The sliding scale per pupil amount shall be calculated as provided in this paragraph.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For schools with a concentration of poverty level less than or equal to 55%, the per pupil amount is $0.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>For schools with a concentration of poverty level greater than 55% but less than 80%, the per pupil amount is equal to the product of the concentration of poverty level and the sliding scale upper limit minus the sliding scale adjustment factor.</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>For schools with a concentration of poverty level equal to or greater than 80% the per pupil amount is the maximum per pupil amount.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (4) of this subsection, each eligible school shall receive the following proportion of the per pupil grant calculated under paragraph (2) of this subsection rounded to the nearest whole dollar:</text> <level label="i"> <text>For the 1st year of eligibility, 16%;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For the 2nd year of eligibility, 32%;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>For the 3rd year of eligibility, 37%;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>For the 4th year of eligibility, 55%;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>For the 5th year of eligibility, 66%;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>For the 6th year of eligibility, 75%; and</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>For the 7th year of eligibility and each year of eligibility thereafter, 100%.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Beginning in fiscal year 2030, each eligible school shall receive 100% of the per pupil grant calculated under paragraph (2) of this subsection rounded to the nearest whole dollar.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>For a locally funded county each fiscal year, the State shall distribute the State share of the per pupil grant amount to each county board.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For a State funded county:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The State shall distribute 100% of the per pupil grant amount to each county board; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>There is no local share of the per pupil grant amount.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Each fiscal year, the county board shall distribute to each school the minimum school funding amount for the per pupil grant amount calculated under § 5–234 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (g) of this section, each eligible school shall use the per pupil grant to provide wraparound services and other programs and services identified in the eligible school’s needs assessment plan.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A local school system may request flexibility in distributing funds through an appeals process established by the Department.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, if a local school system has at least 10 eligible schools or if at least 35% of a local school system’s schools are eligible schools:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The county board may, on behalf of the eligible schools, expend no more than 50% of the funds distributed for the Program, provided that a plan is developed in consultation with the eligible schools that ensures that the requirements of subsections (c)(2) through (8) and (f)(1) of this section are met and the plan, consistent with the requirements in Title 9.9 of this article, is submitted to the Department; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>In expending funds on behalf of an eligible school a county board may spend funds distributed for the Program costs, that directly benefit an eligible school, including to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Provide central support to effectively manage Program funds;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Enter into contracts with outside service providers that support at least 2 eligible schools;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Coordinate spending on behalf of eligible schools under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Any other administrative cost as defined by the Department through regulation.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Paragraph (1) of this subsection does not apply to a public charter school unless the public charter school chooses to participate in the plan.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A county board that expends funds on behalf of eligible schools in the county in accordance with this subsection shall provide to each eligible school:</text> <level label="i"> <text>An itemized list of services provided for students and their families that meet the needs identified in the needs assessment of the eligible school;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The amount of funding spent on each service; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The amount of funding spent on central administrative support for services provided to the school.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>The Department may adopt policies and procedures to carry out this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>By July 1, 2026, the Department shall adopt regulations to carry out this subsection.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <text>On or before October 1, 2021, and each October 1 thereafter, the Department shall submit to the Department of Budget and Management and the Department of Legislative Services the percentage and number of students at each school eligible for free or reduced price meals in the prior school year and each public school’s eligibility for a grant under this program in the upcoming fiscal year.</text> </level> <level label="i"> <level label="1"> <text>On or before August 15, 2025, and each August 15 thereafter, each community school coordinator of an eligible school shall submit to the Department an evaluation that provides for the immediately preceding school year for the community school coordinator’s eligible school:</text> <level label="i"> <text>How funds provided under this section were allocated at the beginning of the school year compared to how the funds were actually used;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The numbers of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Students identified as needing wraparound services;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Students and families provided with wraparound services, categorized by the type of service as described under § 9.9–101 of this article; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Families, organizations, and community members who volunteered at the eligible school;</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The rates of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Chronic absenteeism; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Student disciplinary action; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Strategies for reducing the rate of chronic absenteeism identified under item (iii) of this paragraph.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Each community school coordinator shall use the evaluation form developed by the Director of Community Schools under § 9.9–103 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Department shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Transmit the final report to the Accountability and Implementation Board and make publicly available each evaluation submitted under this subsection; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>On or before December 1, 2024, submit a report to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on possible methods for ensuring that funds provided under this section are used appropriately and effectively.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>On or before December 1, 2028, the Department shall conduct a statewide evaluation of the Program.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Department shall summarize the results of the findings in a report that the Department shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Transmit to the Accountability and Implementation Board;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Submit to the General Assembly in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Make publicly available.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-224" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Aid to Education"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“English learner enrollment” means the number of students with limited English proficiency in the prior fiscal year.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>For fiscal years 2022 through 2025, “English learner per pupil amount” means the following proportions of the target per pupil foundation amount:</text> <level label="1"> <text>For fiscal year 2022, 100%;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For fiscal year 2023, 100%;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>For fiscal year 2024, 100%; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>For fiscal year 2025, 102%.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Beginning in fiscal year 2026, “English learner per pupil amount” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>For fiscal year 2026, $9,041;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For fiscal year 2027, $9,148;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>For fiscal year 2028, $9,327;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>For fiscal year 2029, $9,613;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>For fiscal year 2030, $9,794;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>For fiscal year 2031, $10,069;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>For fiscal year 2032, $10,232;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>For fiscal year 2033, $10,510; and</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>For subsequent fiscal years, the English learner per pupil amount for the prior fiscal year increased by the inflation adjustment rounded to the nearest whole dollar.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Limited English proficiency” means non–English or limited English proficiency under the reporting requirements established by the Department for the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP).</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Each fiscal year, the State shall distribute the State share for English learner education to each county board.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Each fiscal year, the county board shall distribute to each school the minimum school funding amount for English learners calculated under § 5–234 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-225" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Aid to Education"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>“Special education enrollment” means the number of students enrolled in a public school in the prior fiscal year who required special education services as defined in the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Special education enrollment” includes special education students enrolled in a publicly funded prekindergarten program under Title 7, Subtitle 1A of this article.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>“Special education enrollment” does not include students who are enrolled in or attend:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The Maryland School for the Blind;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Maryland School for the Deaf; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An educational program operated by the State.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>For fiscal years 2022 through 2025, “special education per pupil amount” means the following proportions of the target per pupil foundation amount:</text> <level label="1"> <text>For fiscal year 2022, 86%;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For fiscal year 2023, 86%;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>For fiscal year 2024, 92%; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>For fiscal year 2025, 99%.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Beginning in fiscal year 2026, “special education per pupil amount” means:</text> <level label="1"> <text>For fiscal year 2026, $9,503;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For fiscal year 2027, $10,900;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>For fiscal year 2028, $12,368;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>For fiscal year 2029, $14,367;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>For fiscal year 2030, $16,836;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>For fiscal year 2031, $17,277;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>For fiscal year 2032, $17,609;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>For fiscal year 2033, $18,053; and</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>For subsequent fiscal years, the special education per pupil amount for the prior fiscal year increased by the inflation adjustment rounded to the nearest whole dollar.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Each school shall use the funds provided under this section to provide the services required by each student’s individualized education program or 504 plans.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Each fiscal year, the State shall distribute the State share for special education to each county board.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Each fiscal year, the county board shall distribute to each school or publicly funded prekindergarten program the minimum school funding amount for special education calculated under § 5–234 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-226" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Aid to Education"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>“Struggling learner” means a kindergarten through grade 3 student who, on the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP) or on any successor assessment, in the prior fiscal year, scores the equivalent of a 1, 2, or 3 in English language arts or reading on the PARCC assessment.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The number of grade 3 struggling learners shall be used as a proxy for the number of struggling learners in each of kindergarten, grade 1, and grade 2.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>“Transitional supplemental instruction” means additional academic support for struggling learners using evidence–based programs and strategies that meet the expectations of strong or moderate evidence as defined in the federal Every Student Succeeds Act.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Transitional supplemental instruction” includes:</text> <level label="1"> <text>One–on–one and small–group tutoring of not more than four students with a certified teacher, a teaching assistant, or any other trained professional;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Cross–age peer tutoring; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Screening, identifying, and addressing literacy deficits.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Transitional supplemental instruction per pupil amount” means:</text> <level label="i"> <text>For fiscal year 2022, $476;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For fiscal year 2023, $665;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>For fiscal year 2024, $680;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>For fiscal year 2025, $522;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>For fiscal year 2026, $356; and</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>For fiscal year 2027 and each fiscal year thereafter, $0.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Each school shall use the funds provided under this section to provide transitional supplemental instruction to struggling learners in kindergarten through grade 3.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, priority in providing transitional supplemental instruction shall be given to literacy.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A school district or school may use the funds for additional mathematics instruction if it is determined that this is a priority for the students in the district or school.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A school district or school is encouraged to, on a pilot basis, experiment with new evidence–based means of screening, identifying, and addressing literacy deficits.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>An individual who provides transitional supplemental instruction may be employed by the school district.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <level label="i"> <text>Each student who receives transitional supplemental instruction shall receive a pre– and post–standardized assessment to evaluate the student’s progress before and after receiving transitional supplemental instruction under this section.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The requirement that a student receive a pre–standardized assessment for literacy in accordance with subparagraph (i) of this paragraph may be satisfied by conducting the reading screening established in § 4–136 of this article.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Each fiscal year, the State shall distribute the State share for transitional supplemental instruction to each county board.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Each fiscal year, the county board shall distribute to each school the minimum school funding amount for transitional supplemental instruction calculated under § 5–234 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-229" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Aid to Education"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“County program amount” means, for each county, the product of the per pupil amount and the prekindergarten enrollment.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Family share” means the amount calculated under subsection (e) of this section rounded to the nearest whole dollar.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Local share” means, for each county, the result of the county program amount minus the State share rounded to the nearest whole dollar.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>“Per pupil amount” means:</text> <level label="i"> <text>In fiscal year 2023, $10,094;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>In fiscal year 2024, $11,594;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>In fiscal year 2025, $13,003;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>In fiscal year 2026, $14,473;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>In fiscal year 2027, $19,950;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>In fiscal year 2028, $19,950; and</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>In fiscal year 2029 and each fiscal year thereafter, the per pupil amount for the prior fiscal year increased by the inflation adjustment rounded to the nearest whole dollar.</text> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <text>“Prekindergarten enrollment” means:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Beginning in fiscal year 2023, the number of Tier I children enrolled with an eligible prekindergarten provider; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Beginning in fiscal year 2026, the number of Tier I and Tier II children enrolled with an eligible prekindergarten provider.</text> </level> </level> <level label="7"> <text>“State share” means, for each county, rounded to the nearest whole dollar, the following calculations multiplied by 0.5:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Multiply the per pupil amount by the county’s prekindergarten enrollment;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Divide the result calculated under item (i) of this paragraph by the ratio, rounded to seven decimal places, of local wealth per pupil to statewide wealth per pupil; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Multiply the result calculated under item (ii) of this paragraph by the result, rounded to seven decimal places, that results from dividing the total program amount by the sum of all of the results calculated under item (ii) of this paragraph for all counties.</text> </level> </level> <level label="8"> <text>“Tier I child” has the meaning stated in § 7–1A–01 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>“Tier II child” has the meaning stated in § 7–1A–01 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>“Tier III child” has the meaning stated in § 7–1A–01 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>“Total program amount” means the product of the per pupil amount and the statewide prekindergarten enrollment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>To be eligible for public funding, a prekindergarten provider shall comply with Title 7, Subtitle 1A of this article.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>As calculated under subsection (d) of this section, there is a State share and local share of the per pupil amount for Tier I children.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>There is no family share for Tier I children.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>As calculated under subsection (e) of this section and beginning in fiscal year 2026, there is a State share, local share, and family share of the per pupil amount for Tier II children.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Tier III children are not eligible for funding under this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>For public providers, each fiscal year:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The State shall distribute the State share to each county board; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The county board shall distribute to each public provider the minimum school funding amount for prekindergarten calculated under § 5–234 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For private providers, each fiscal year:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The State shall distribute the State share for private providers to the Department;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The county shall distribute the local share for private providers to the Department; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The Department shall distribute the State and local share to the private providers.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>On or before July 1, 2022, the Department shall establish a sliding scale to calculate the family share required for Tier II children.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The sliding scale developed by the Department shall be increased on a linear basis with:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A lower limit of $0 per pupil for a family with an income that is 300% of the federal poverty level; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>An upper limit of the per pupil amount for a family with an income that is more than 300% but less than 600% of the federal poverty level.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>Beginning in fiscal year 2026, the family shall pay the family share to the publicly funded prekindergarten provider.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A county board may provide up to 100% of the family share on behalf of the family.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>Income–eligible families shall have access to extended day services through the Child Care Scholarship Program under Title 9.5, Subtitle 9 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The Department, county boards, and eligible prekindergarten providers shall work together to address the transportation needs of children enrolled in eligible prekindergarten providers.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <text>On or before November 1, 2021, the Department shall report to the Accountability and Implementation Board and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Plans for an income verification process to determine eligibility for Tier I, Tier II, or Tier III status of a child;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Administrative procedures for distributing the funds required under subsection (d) of this section;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>Providing families with the ability to indicate a preference for the public or private prekindergarten program in which to enroll the child; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Communicating with families that the ability to choose to enroll a child in a public provider outside the family’s attendance area is available only for prekindergarten;</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Recommendations for the methodology the Department will use to calculate the State, local, and family share for Tier II children under the sliding scale developed under subsection (e) of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Recommendations on whether to extend the prekindergarten supplemental grant provided under § 5–232 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-230" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Aid to Education"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Accreditation” means the determination that a program meets quality standards defined by the accrediting agency beyond State child care regulations.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Accrediting agency” means a State agency or national organization that has developed a recognized accrediting process.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Credentialing” means the process through which an individual is awarded a professional certificate based on education and experience.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>“Early Childhood Education Enhancement Grant” means a grant that is distributed under subsection (f) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>“Full day” means a period of time during the day that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Meets the needs of families; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Is not less than 7 hours or more than 12 hours per day.</text> </level> </level> <level label="7"> <text>“Judy Center” means a site where comprehensive early childhood education services are provided to young children and their families for the purpose of promoting school readiness through collaboration with participating agencies and programs.</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>“Judy Center Grant” means a grant that is distributed under subsection (d) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>“Local management board” means a local management board as defined under § 8–101(l) of the Human Services Article.</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>“Participating agencies and programs” includes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Public prekindergarten and kindergarten programs;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Head Start programs;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Family literacy programs and services;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Local infants and toddlers programs;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Child care centers and family child care homes;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>Family support centers;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>Healthy family sites;</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>Parent involvement programs;</text> </level> <level label="ix"> <text>Early childhood programs affiliated with institutions of higher education; and</text> </level> <level label="x"> <text>Other home visiting, community health, family support services, and child care resource and referral agencies.</text> </level> </level> <level label="11"> <text>“Preschool Services Grant” means a grant that is distributed under subsection (e) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="12"> <text>“Program” means the Judith P. Hoyer Early Childhood Education Enhancement Program established under this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>There is a Judith P. Hoyer Early Childhood Education Enhancement Program in the Department.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The purpose of the Program is to promote school readiness through the development and expansion of collaborative approaches to the delivery of high quality, comprehensive, full–day early childhood education programs and family support services.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The Program shall be funded as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Funds that are allocated to the Program in the State budget may be used:</text> <level label="i"> <text>To cover the costs incurred by the Department in implementing and administering the Program;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For Judy Center Grants:</text> <level label="1"> <text>As provided under subsection (d) of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the Department awards multiyear funding under subsection (h) of this section, for planning and development of a Judy Center in the first year of multiyear funding;</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>For Preschool Services Grants, as provided under subsection (e) of this section;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>For Early Childhood Education Enhancement Grants, as provided under subsection (f) of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>To fund the statewide implementation of the Department’s Early Childhood Assessment System, as provided under subsection (g) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>For each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025, the State shall provide funding for 9 additional Judy Centers per year.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030, the State shall provide funding for 18 additional Judy Centers per year.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The Governor shall appropriate, in each of fiscal years 2021 through 2030, $330,000 for each additional Judy Center required under this paragraph.</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>The State shall prioritize increasing the number of Judy Centers in communities with Title I schools.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Department may distribute a Judy Center Grant to a county board if the county board submits an application to the Department that includes:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A memorandum of understanding between the county board, the participating agencies and programs, and, in the discretion of the county board, the local management board that includes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The terms of the collaboration to be undertaken by the county board, the participating agencies and programs, and, if applicable, the local management board, including the roles and responsibilities of each of these entities; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A plan for establishing ongoing communication between private service providers and public school early education programs; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Documentation that shows that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The Department’s Early Childhood Assessment System will be implemented at the Center;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>All participating agencies and programs that provide early childhood education services through the Center have voluntarily obtained accreditation or, by the date of the Grant application, have voluntarily initiated and are actively pursuing the process of obtaining accreditation; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The Center will provide comprehensive, full–day early childhood education services and family support services.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>The Department may distribute a Preschool Services Grant to be used to provide prekindergarten services for 4–year–old children whose birthdays fall on or before September 1 of the school year during which services will be provided and whose family income is below a level set by the Department.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Private providers that have voluntarily obtained accreditation or have voluntarily initiated and are actively pursuing accreditation by the date of the grant application must obtain accreditation before receiving a grant award.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The Department may distribute an Early Childhood Education Enhancement Grant to a private provider of early childhood education services to be used:</text> <level label="1"> <text>To assist the provider in voluntarily obtaining accreditation; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For professional development activities leading to increased competency and appropriate credentialing that is related to early childhood education services.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The Department may distribute funds to a county board for the purpose of implementing the Department’s Early Childhood Assessment System in the county’s public schools.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>The Department shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Establish application procedures for obtaining Judy Center Grants, Preschool Services Grants, and Early Childhood Education Enhancement Grants as provided under this section;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Supervise and monitor the use of Grant funds distributed under this section; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Evaluate whether Grant recipients are meeting annual benchmarks established by the Department.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For Judy Center Grants, the Department may award multiyear funding.</text> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>A county board that is selected to receive a Judy Center Grant or a private provider that has been selected for a Preschool Services Grant or an Early Childhood Education Enhancement Grant shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Administer the Grant award;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Submit fiscal and program reports as required by the Department; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Coordinate the involvement of participating agencies and programs in any evaluation process conducted by the Department.</text> </level> </level> <level label="j"> <text>Grants awarded under this section may not be used:</text> <level label="1"> <text>To supplant existing funding for any services provided by participating agencies and programs; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For capital improvements.</text> </level> </level> <level label="k"> <text>The Department shall conduct an evaluation process to measure the effectiveness of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The Judy Centers; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Early childhood education services and family support services that are purchased with funds from Preschool Services Grants and Early Childhood Education Enhancement Grants.</text> </level> </level> <level label="l"> <text>On or before November 1 each year, the Department shall submit to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly a report on the implementation of the Program and the participating agencies and programs, including a description of the Program’s and the participating agencies’ and programs’ expenditures, enrollment, and statewide performance data, including school readiness data disaggregated by program and by jurisdiction.</text> </level> <level label="m"> <text>The Department may adopt regulations as necessary to implement the Program.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-231" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Aid to Education"> <level label="a"> <text>The Head Start Program in the State shall be referred to as the Ulysses Currie Head Start Program.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>For each fiscal year, the Governor shall include in the annual State budget an appropriation of at least $3,000,000 for the Ulysses Currie Head Start Program.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>A provider in the Ulysses Currie Head Start Program is eligible to receive full State funds under § 5–229 of this subtitle even if the Program receives federal funds.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-232" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Aid to Education"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Eligible child” means a child:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Whose parent or guardian enrolls the child in a public prekindergarten program; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Who is 4 years old on September 1 of the school year in which the parent or legal guardian enrolls the child in a public prekindergarten program.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Eligible county board” means a county board that makes a full–day public prekindergarten program available for eligible children.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“State share of the per pupil foundation amount” means the quotient of the State share of the foundation program for a county divided by the full–time equivalent enrollment of the county.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>For each of fiscal years 2018 through 2022, the State shall provide a supplemental prekindergarten grant to an eligible county board that equals the percentage of the State share of the per pupil foundation amount multiplied by the number of full–time equivalent eligible children enrolled in a public full–day prekindergarten program on September 30 of the previous school year:</text> <level label="1"> <text>For fiscal year 2018, 50%;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For fiscal year 2019, 75%;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>For fiscal year 2020, 100%; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>For each of fiscal years 2021 and 2022, 100%.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The State shall distribute the supplemental prekindergarten grant at the same time the State distributes funds to county boards under this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-234" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Aid to Education"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided by paragraph (2) of this subsection and subsections (e) and (f) of this section, for each of the following programs, “minimum school funding” means at least 75% of the per pupil amount applicable to each of the following programs:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The foundation program under § 5–213 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The compensatory education program under § 5–222 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The English learner education program under § 5–224 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>The special education program under § 5–225 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Public providers of prekindergarten under § 5–229 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>Transitional supplemental instruction under § 5–226 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>The comparable wage index grant under § 5–216 of this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>The college and career readiness program under § 5–217 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Except as provided by subsection (e) of this section, for each of the following programs, “minimum school funding” means 100% of the per pupil amount applicable to each of the following programs:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Private providers of prekindergarten under § 5–229 of this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The per pupil grant under the concentration of poverty program under § 5–223 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>For each school, the county board shall distribute the minimum school funding amount for the applicable program multiplied by the school enrollment for the applicable program.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>On or before July 1, 2024, for fiscal year 2025, and each July 1 thereafter, each county board shall report on the county board’s compliance with this section to the Department and the Accountability and Implementation Board established under Subtitle 4 of this title.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A county board may request a waiver under § 5–406 of this title from this provision for reasons including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A significant shift in total school–level enrollment between the prior year and the current year;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A significant shift in school–level enrollment of at–promise students between the prior year and the current year; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>A significant difference in the amount of funding provided through the formula and the amount of expenditures necessary for a category of at–promise students.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>On or before July 1, 2023, the Department shall, in collaboration with the Accountability and Implementation Board established under Subtitle 4 of this title:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Implement a financial management system and student data system capable of tracking and analyzing the requirements under this section and integrating local school system data; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Update the “Financial Reporting Manual for Maryland Public Schools” to ensure uniformity in reporting expenditures for each school.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>For fiscal years 2023 and 2024, each county board and the Department shall report to the Accountability and Implementation Board established under Subtitle 4 of this title expenditures for each school in accordance with the federal Every Student Succeeds Act requirements for reporting expenditures.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>A county board may exclude from the requirements of this section, countywide obligations and contracts for goods and services that cannot be allocated at the school level.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If a county board makes the exclusion under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the county board shall report the reason for the exclusion to the Department.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>For the purposes of this section, subsection (a)(1)(iv) of this section may be reported in the aggregate for each county.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-235" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Aid to Education"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>Subject to subsection (o) of this section and beginning in fiscal year 2023, the county governing body shall levy and appropriate an annual tax sufficient to provide an amount of revenue for elementary and secondary public education purposes equal to the local share of major education aid as adjusted under § 5–239 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For the purposes of calculating the local share of major education aid and regardless of the source of the funds, all funds that a county board, including the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners, is authorized to expend for schools may be considered as levied by the county council, board of county commissioners, or the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore except for:</text> <level label="1"> <text>State appropriations;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Federal education aid payments; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The amount of the expenditure authorized for debt service and capital outlay.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Subject to subsection (o) of this section and except as provided in subsection (a–1) of this section, the county governing body shall appropriate local funds to the school operating budget in an amount no less than the product of the county’s enrollment count for the current fiscal year and the local appropriation on a per pupil basis for the prior fiscal year using enrollment count.</text> </level> </level> <level label="a–1"> <text>For fiscal year 2023, the county governing body shall appropriate to the school operating budget the greater of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The local share of major education aid under subsection (a)(1) of this section; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>For Allegany County, $31,854,912;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For Anne Arundel County, $784,741,000;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>For Baltimore City, $275,513,758;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>For Baltimore County, $888,261,619;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>For Calvert County, $134,705,250;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>For Caroline County, $16,080,832;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>For Carroll County, $204,617,860;</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>For Cecil County, $89,196,266;</text> </level> <level label="ix"> <text>For Charles County, $200,686,400;</text> </level> <level label="x"> <text>For Dorchester County, $20,937,715;</text> </level> <level label="xi"> <text>For Frederick County, $316,348,012;</text> </level> <level label="xii"> <text>For Garrett County, $28,705,313;</text> </level> <level label="xiii"> <text>For Harford County, $293,812,984;</text> </level> <level label="xiv"> <text>For Howard County, $628,300,000;</text> </level> <level label="xv"> <text>For Kent County, $18,559,629;</text> </level> <level label="xvi"> <text>For Montgomery County, $1,752,662,235;</text> </level> <level label="xvii"> <text>For Prince George’s County, $766,762,200;</text> </level> <level label="xviii"> <text>For Queen Anne’s County, $62,559,389;</text> </level> <level label="xix"> <text>For St. Mary’s County, $114,540,490;</text> </level> <level label="xx"> <text>For Somerset County, $10,490,432;</text> </level> <level label="xxi"> <text>For Talbot County, $43,905,596;</text> </level> <level label="xxii"> <text>For Washington County, $106,847,824;</text> </level> <level label="xxiii"> <text>For Wicomico County, $49,135,024; and</text> </level> <level label="xxiv"> <text>For Worcester County, $97,117,331.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection and subsection (c) of this section, for purposes of this section, the local appropriation on a per pupil basis for the prior fiscal year for a county is derived by dividing the county’s highest local appropriation to its school operating budget for the prior fiscal year by the county’s enrollment count for the prior fiscal year. For example, the calculation of the foundation aid for fiscal year 2003 shall be based on the highest local appropriation for the school operating budget for a county for fiscal year 2002. Program shifts between a county operating budget and a county school operating budget may not be used to artificially satisfy the requirements of this paragraph.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For fiscal year 2024, the following amounts shall be subtracted from the county’s fiscal year 2023 highest local appropriation:</text> <level label="i"> <text>For Allegany County, $384,498;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For Anne Arundel County, $10,291,149;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>For Baltimore County, $41,682,056;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>For Calvert County, $2,109,359;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>For Carroll County, $7,549,762;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>For Charles County, $7,074,539;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>For Frederick County, $9,076,061;</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>For Garrett County, $342,058;</text> </level> <level label="ix"> <text>For Harford County, $19,512,731;</text> </level> <level label="x"> <text>For Howard County, $23,479,884;</text> </level> <level label="xi"> <text>For Kent County, $488,031;</text> </level> <level label="xii"> <text>For Montgomery County, $30,992,076;</text> </level> <level label="xiii"> <text>For Queen Anne’s County, $406,525; and</text> </level> <level label="xiv"> <text>For St. Mary’s County, $6,110,337.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>For purposes of this subsection, the calculation of the county’s highest local appropriation to its school operating budget for the prior fiscal year shall exclude:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A nonrecurring cost that is supplemental to the regular school operating budget, if the exclusion qualifies under regulations adopted by the State Board;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A cost of a program that has been shifted from the county school operating budget to the county operating budget;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The cost of debt service incurred for school construction projects; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>For a county that shifts the recurring costs associated with providing retiree health benefits for current retirees to the county board, any reduction in those retiree health costs from the amount the county was required to appropriate in the previous year.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For purposes of the adjustment required under subsection (a)(2)(ii) of this section, a county that dedicates to public school construction any additional State funds received from recurring retiree health costs shifted to the county board may exclude those retiree health costs from the highest local appropriation on a per pupil basis.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The county board must present satisfactory evidence to the county government that any appropriation under subsection (c)(1) of this section is used only for the purpose designated by the county government in its request for approval.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>Any appropriation that is not excluded under subsection (c)(1) of this section as a qualifying nonrecurring cost shall be included in calculating the county’s highest local appropriation to its school operating budget.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>Qualifying nonrecurring costs, as defined in regulations adopted by the State Board, shall include but are not limited to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Computer laboratories;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Technology enhancement;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>New instructional program start–up costs; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Books other than classroom textbooks.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, if a county’s ability to fund the maintenance of effort requirement in subsection (a) of this section is impeded, the county shall apply under subsection (h) of this section to the State Board for a waiver.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If a county fails to apply to the State Board for a waiver from the maintenance of effort requirement and fails to meet the maintenance of effort requirement:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The county shall be assessed in accordance with subsection (o) of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The minimum appropriation of local funds required under this section for the next fiscal year shall be calculated based on the per pupil local appropriation for the prior fiscal year in which the county met the maintenance of effort requirement under subsection (a) of this section.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>The maintenance of effort requirement in subsection (a) of this section does not apply to a county if the county requests and is granted a waiver from the requirement by the State Board based on:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A determination under this subsection that the county’s fiscal condition significantly impedes the county’s ability to fund the maintenance of effort requirement;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Subject to subsection (i) of this section, an agreement between the county and the county board to reduce recurring costs;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Subject to subsection (j) of this section, a determination that a county’s ability to meet the maintenance of effort requirement is permanently impeded; or</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Subject to subsection (k) of this section, a determination that lease payments were made by the county board to a county revenue authority or private entity holding title to property used as a public school by a county board in accordance with § 4–114(c)(1) or (d) of this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In order to qualify for a waiver for a fiscal year, a county shall make a request for a waiver to the State Board by the earlier of the seventh day following the end of the legislative regular session or April 20 of the prior fiscal year.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The State Superintendent shall provide a preliminary assessment of a waiver request to the State Board before a public hearing held in accordance with paragraph (4) of this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Before acting on a request for a waiver, the State Board shall hold a public hearing in accordance with regulations adopted by the State Board.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (i) of this section, when considering whether to grant a county’s waiver request, the State Board shall consider the following factors:</text> <level label="i"> <text>External environmental factors such as a loss of a major employer or industry affecting a county or a broad economic downturn affecting more than one county;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A county’s tax base;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Rate of inflation relative to growth of student population in a county;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Maintenance of effort requirement relative to a county’s statutory ability to raise revenues;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>A county’s history of exceeding the required maintenance of effort amount under subsection (a)(2) of this section;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>An agreement between a county and a county board that a waiver should be granted;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>Significant reductions in State aid to a county and municipalities of the county for the fiscal year for which a waiver is requested;</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>The number of waivers a county has received in the past 5 years; and</text> </level> <level label="ix"> <text>The history of compensation adjustments for employees of the county board and county government.</text> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <text>The State Board shall inform the county whether the waiver for a fiscal year is approved or denied in whole or in part no later than 30 days after receipt of an application or May 20 of the prior fiscal year, whichever is earlier.</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Except as provided in subsections (i) and (j) of this section, if a county is granted a waiver from the provisions of this section by either the State Board or the General Assembly for any fiscal year, the minimum appropriation of local funds required under this section for the next fiscal year shall be calculated based on the per pupil local appropriation for the prior fiscal year in which the county met the maintenance of effort requirement under subsection (a) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection applies to a county that requests a waiver under subsection (h)(1)(ii) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The State Board shall grant a waiver request in the amount that has been agreed on by the county and county board that is attributable to reductions in recurring costs.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If the reduction in recurring costs includes reductions in personnel or personnel costs, then the State Board shall grant a waiver request in the amount that has been mutually agreed on by the county, county board, and exclusive employee representative.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The amount of the agreed on waiver may be less than the entire amount of the reduction in recurring costs.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The amount of the agreed on waiver may not:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Exceed the entire amount of the reduction in recurring costs; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Reduce a county’s education appropriation below the amount required in subsection (a)(1) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The minimum appropriation of local funds required under this section for the next fiscal year shall be calculated based on the per pupil local appropriation for the current fiscal year approved by the State Board under this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="j"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>In this subsection the following terms have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Education appropriation” includes any money redirected to a county board under subsection (o) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>“Education effort” means a county’s education appropriation divided by the county’s wealth.</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>“5–year moving average” means the average of the 5 years before the waiver year.</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>“Waiver year” means the fiscal year for which a waiver from the maintenance of effort requirement in subsection (a) of this section is requested.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>This subsection applies to a county that has:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Received a waiver under subsection (h)(1)(i) of this section from the maintenance of effort requirement; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A required county education appropriation under subsection (a) of this section for the waiver year that exceeds 100% of the statewide 5–year moving average of education effort times a county’s local wealth.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A county that satisfies the requirements under paragraph (2) of this subsection may request a rebasing waiver from the State Board.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>When considering whether to grant a county’s waiver request under this subsection, the State Board shall consider the following factors:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Whether a county has submitted sufficient evidence that the factors in subsection (h)(5) of this section will affect a county’s ongoing ability to meet the maintenance of effort requirement;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Whether a county is at its maximum taxing authority under the law;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Whether a county’s education appropriation is commensurate with a county’s wealth;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Whether a county’s history of exceeding the required maintenance of effort has made meeting the maintenance of effort requirement in future years unsustainable; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Whether a county has received a rebasing waiver in the past 5 years.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>If the State Board grants a rebasing waiver under this subsection, the amount of the waiver for any fiscal year is limited to the lesser of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>An amount that would result in a county’s education effort for the waiver year falling below the level established in paragraph (2)(ii) of this subsection; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <level label="1"> <text>For a county with a 5–year moving average for education effort that is less than or equal to 110% of the statewide 5–year moving average of education effort, 1% of the county’s required maintenance of effort requirement;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For a county with a 5–year moving average for education effort that is more than 110% and less than or equal to 120% of the statewide 5–year moving average of education effort, 2% of the county’s required maintenance of effort requirement; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>For a county with a 5–year moving average for education effort that is more than 120% of the 5–year moving statewide average of education effort, 3% of the county’s required maintenance of effort requirement.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <level label="i"> <text>If the State Board grants a rebasing waiver under this subsection, the minimum appropriation of local funds required under this section for the next fiscal year shall be calculated based on the per pupil local appropriation for the current fiscal year approved by the State Board under this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If the State Board grants a rebasing waiver to be implemented over a multiyear period, which may not exceed 3 years, in each year the minimum appropriation of local funds required under this section for the next fiscal year shall be calculated based on the per pupil local appropriation for the current fiscal year approved by the State Board under this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="7"> <text>If the State Board does not grant a waiver under this subsection, the minimum appropriation of local funds required under this section for the next fiscal year shall be calculated based on the per pupil local appropriation for the prior fiscal year in which the county met the maintenance of effort requirement under subsection (a) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>Nothing in this subsection precludes a county from also requesting a waiver from the maintenance of effort requirement under subsection (i) of this section for the same fiscal year as the waiver requested under this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="k"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection applies to a county that requests a waiver under subsection (h)(1)(iv) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The State Board shall grant a waiver request in the amount that has been agreed on by the county and the county board that is attributable to the amount of the lease payment.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The amount of the agreed–on waiver may be less than the entire amount of the lease payment.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The amount of the agreed–on waiver may not:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Exceed the entire amount of the lease payment; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Reduce a county’s education appropriation below the amount required in subsection (a)(1) of this section.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If the county and county board have not agreed on an amount, the State Board may grant a waiver on a determination that the lease payments are comparable to the amount of debt service that would otherwise be required if the alternative financing had not been used.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>If the State Board grants a waiver under this subsection, the State Board shall determine the number of fiscal years for which the waiver is applicable and the minimum appropriation of local funds required under this section for the fiscal year after the expiration of the waiver.</text> </level> </level> <level label="l"> <text>In making the calculations required under this section, the Department shall consult with the Department of Budget and Management and the Department of Legislative Services.</text> </level> <level label="m"> <level label="1"> <text>A county shall submit to the Superintendent the county’s approved budget no later than 7 days after approval of the budget or June 30, whichever is earlier.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>No later than 15 days after receipt of the county’s approved budget the Superintendent shall certify whether the county has met the funding requirements established under this section and shall notify the county and county board of that certification.</text> </level> </level> <level label="n"> <text>On or before December 31 of each year the Department shall report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly, on all waiver requests, maintenance of effort calculations made by the Department and the county, the Department’s decisions regarding waiver requests, the Department’s certification of whether a county has met the requirement, and any other information relating to a county’s request for a waiver and the Department’s maintenance of effort decisions.</text> </level> <level label="o"> <level label="1"> <text>If the Superintendent finds that a county is not complying with the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, the Superintendent shall notify the county of such noncompliance.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If a county disputes the finding within 15 days after the issuance of a notice under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the dispute shall be referred promptly to the State Board for a final determination.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>Within 15 days of receipt of certification of noncompliance by the Superintendent or the State Board and subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, the Comptroller shall, under § 2–608 of the Tax – General Article, withhold income tax revenue from the county so that the total amount withheld is equal to the amount by which a county failed to meet the requirements in subsection (a) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Comptroller shall distribute the amount withheld under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph directly to the county board.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-236" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Aid to Education"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The State Board may accept for the State:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Any appropriation of money for educational purposes and subsidized or free feeding programs for the public schools that is made out of the federal treasury by an act of Congress; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Any additional funds directed to the State Board by an act of Congress or federal regulation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The State Board is the educational authority for the expenditure and administration of these funds.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>All of these funds received by the State shall be received into the State Treasury.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>On warrant of the State Comptroller, the State Treasurer may:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Receive and provide for the proper custody of these funds; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Make disbursements on the order of the State Board according to the procedure established for the State Treasurer.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-237" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Aid to Education"> <level label="a"> <text>The State Board shall distribute grants each year to organizations that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Promote literacy at an early age during well child visits in a health care setting; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Solicit the corporate community for funding for promoting literacy at an early age.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>An organization that is awarded a grant by the State Board under this section shall use the grant to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Purchase books to be distributed at well child visits in the health care setting; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Train pediatricians and other health care providers on methods of promoting literacy to all Maryland children.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>In fiscal year 2001 and every fiscal year thereafter, the Governor shall include funds in the State budget to implement this section.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The State Board may adopt regulations to implement this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-239" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Aid to Education"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Under this section a county may be eligible for a reduction in the local share of major education aid required under § 5–235(a)(1) of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A reduction in the local share of major education aid under this section may not reduce the local share below the per pupil appropriation required under § 5–235(a)(2) of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If a reduction in the local share of major education aid under this section would result in a local share that is less than the requirement under § 5–235(a)(2) of this subtitle, the State distributions required under this section shall be reduced.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>For the purposes of § 5–205 of this subtitle, State distributions required under this section shall be included in the State share of major education aid.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>In this subsection the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Education effort adjustment” equals the local share of major education aid minus the maximum local share.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>“Education effort index” means local education effort divided by the State average education effort.</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>“Local education effort” means, for each county, the county’s local share of major education aid divided by the county’s wealth and rounded to the nearest seven decimal places.</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>“Major education aid” has the meaning stated in § 5–201(l) of this subtitle minus item (9) of § 5–201(l) of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>“Maximum local share” equals the local wealth multiplied by the State average education effort.</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>“State average education effort” equals the local share of major education aid for all counties divided by the wealth of all counties and rounded to the nearest seven decimal places.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>A county is eligible for the education effort adjustment if the education effort index is greater than 1 for 2 consecutive fiscal years.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Subject to subsection (a) of this section, the required local share of major education aid is reduced by the amount provided by the State under this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>For each county, if the education effort index is greater than 1 but less than 1.15, the State shall distribute to the county board the following proportion of the education effort adjustment and the county shall provide the remainder:</text> <level label="i"> <text>For fiscal year 2022, 10%;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For fiscal year 2023, 15%;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>For fiscal year 2024, 20%;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>For fiscal year 2025, 25%;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>For fiscal year 2026, 30%;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>For fiscal year 2027, 35%;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>For fiscal year 2028, 40%;</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>For fiscal year 2029, 45%; and</text> </level> <level label="ix"> <text>For fiscal year 2030 and each fiscal year thereafter, 50%.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>For each county, if the education effort index is at least 1.15 but less than 1.27, the State shall distribute to the county board the following proportion of the education effort adjustment and the county shall provide the remainder:</text> <level label="i"> <text>For fiscal year 2022, 20%;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For fiscal year 2023, 20%;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>For fiscal year 2024, 35%;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>For fiscal year 2025, 45%;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>For fiscal year 2026, 55%;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>For fiscal year 2027, 65%;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>For fiscal year 2028, 75%;</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>For fiscal year 2029, 85%; and</text> </level> <level label="ix"> <text>For fiscal year 2030 and each fiscal year thereafter, 100%.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>For each county, if the education effort index is at least 1.27, for fiscal year 2022 and each fiscal year thereafter, the State shall distribute to the county board 100% of the education effort adjustment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection and subject to the limitation in subsection (a) of this section, the local share of major education aid shall be reduced by the amount of State funds provided to a county board under § 5–214 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For Baltimore City, the local share of major education aid may be reduced only by the amount by which the State funds provided under § 5–214 of this subtitle exceeds $10,000,000.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Subject to the limitation in subsection (a) of this section, the local share of major education aid shall be reduced by:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The sum of the amount of State funds provided to a county board in a county that is eligible for the minimum State funding under the foundation program as defined in § 5–201(q)(2) of this subtitle and the difference between the local share of the foundation program and the foundation program; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The amount by which the sum of the State share and local share of the at–promise programs as defined in § 5–221 of this subtitle exceeds the total program amount as defined in § 5–221 of this subtitle for each program.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>Subject to the limitation in subsection (a) of this section, the local share of major education aid for counties with an index of at least 0.130 under § 5–216 of this subtitle shall be reduced by the amount equal to 50% of the local share calculated under § 5–216 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-240" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Aid to Education"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Beginning in fiscal year 2021, the Governor shall appropriate in the annual budget $6,500,000 to the Department for the purpose of providing grants to maintain or establish school–based health centers.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <level label="1"> <text>The Department shall designate a primary contact employee for school–based health centers.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Department’s primary contact employee shall:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>Assist individuals involved in school–based health centers who interact with the Department;</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>Provide technical assistance to support the establishment and expansion of school–based health centers; and</text> </level> <level label="C"> <text>Coordinate the Department’s efforts with those of the Maryland Department of Health and other government agencies to build a robust network of school–based health centers in the State.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <level label="1"> <text>The Maryland Department of Health shall designate a primary contact employee for school–based health centers.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Maryland Department of Health’s primary contact employee shall:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>Assist individuals involved in school–based health centers who interact with the Maryland Department of Health;</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>Provide technical assistance to support the establishment and expansion of school–based health centers; and</text> </level> <level label="C"> <text>Coordinate the Maryland Department of Health’s efforts with those of the Department and other government agencies to build a robust network of school–based health centers in the State.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The amount appropriated under subsection (a) of this section shall be in addition to the amount appropriated in fiscal year 2020.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-241" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Aid to Education"> <text>The Governor shall include in the annual budget bill funding sufficient to carry out the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future in accordance with the following sections:</text> <level label="1"> <text>§§ 5–411 and 5–412 of this title;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>§§ 6–122, 6–124, 6–1008, and 6–1011 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>§§ 7–202.1, 7–205.1, and 7–446.1 of this article; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>§ 21–207 of this article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-242" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Aid to Education"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Initiative” means the Maryland Early Literacy Initiative.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Interventionist” means a trained professional whose primary responsibility is to deliver evidence–based early literacy intervention.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Literacy program” means a literacy program implemented by an interventionist.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>“Nonprofit organization” means a nonprofit organization that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Is based in the State;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Is incorporated or registered under the laws of the State;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Is exempt from federal income tax under § 501(c)(3), (4), or (6) of the Internal Revenue Code;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Is current in the payment of all tax obligations to the State or any unit or subdivision of the State; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <level label="1"> <text>Has been in active business for 3 years or more at the time of the application submitted under this section; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Has a fiscal sponsor who can meet the requirements of this section.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <text>“Participating student” means a student:</text> <level label="i"> <text>In prekindergarten through eighth grade; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Who performs below a certain score, as determined by the Department, on the assessment the Department uses to assess reading level.</text> </level> </level> <level label="7"> <text>“Qualifying school” means a public school categorized by the local school system as a Title I school.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>There is a Maryland Early Literacy Initiative in the Department.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The purpose of the Initiative is to assist up to 50 qualifying schools to implement an evidence–based literacy program in the school to work with participating students to meet literacy proficiency targets by the end of eighth grade or other literacy targets as determined by the Department.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Initiative shall be established in at least three counties.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Initiative shall be developed and administered by the Department.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>For the 2018–2019 school year through the 2021–2022 school year, a qualifying school may apply to the Department to receive a grant for the qualifying school to develop a literacy program that is in furtherance of the purpose of the Initiative.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A qualifying school may apply for a grant only if the county superintendent endorses the school’s grant application.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>A qualifying school may coordinate and partner with other qualifying schools in the county to jointly apply for a grant to develop a literacy program among the partnering qualifying schools.</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>A county board may apply on behalf of one or more qualifying schools in the county.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An application shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Identify whether the qualifying school will work in collaboration with a nonprofit organization or the county board to implement the literacy program;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Provide the name and qualifications of the nonprofit organization, if the qualifying school will work in collaboration with a nonprofit organization;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Include a description of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The literacy program to be implemented at the qualifying school;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The training that will be provided to the interventionist to provide the services under this section; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>How the literacy program will meet the requirements under subsection (d) of this section; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Include any other information required by the Department.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>If the number of applications exceeds the number of available grants, the Department shall give priority in awarding grants to a qualifying school serving a high concentration of students living in poverty in prekindergarten through third grade.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>A literacy program developed under the Initiative shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Provide early literacy intervention services for participating students;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Require participating students to receive direct services at least twice a week;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Have clear literacy targets at each grade level for participating students;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Have benchmark assessments multiple times a year to identify students who need one–on–one interventions; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Collect data on student progress at least monthly.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The literacy program developed at a qualifying school under the Initiative shall be implemented by staff hired and supervised by the collaborating nonprofit organization or the county board.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>For fiscal years 2019 through 2022, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of $2,500,000 to the Department for the Initiative.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Department may retain up to 3% of the appropriation required to be included in the annual budget bill under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph to hire staff necessary to administer the Initiative.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The Department shall distribute up to 50 grants for a 2–year period.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>In awarding grants under the Initiative, the Department shall make every effort to ensure that qualifying schools use literacy programs that utilize various evidence–based approaches and methodologies for:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Comparison purposes; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The collection of multiple data points for long–term review.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A grant made to each qualifying school may not exceed $75,000 each year.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A grant made under this section shall be renewed by the Department after a 2–year period if the qualifying school presents evidence that the qualifying school is:</text> <level label="i"> <text>In compliance with this section; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Meeting identified targets and benchmarks.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Each qualifying school may apply for and accept donations, grants, or other financial assistance from a governmental entity, a nonprofit organization, or any other private organization to benefit the literacy program.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>On or before July 1, 2018, the Department shall adopt regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this section.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <text>On or before December 1, 2022, the Department shall submit an evidence–based report summarizing the status of efforts under the Initiative, including recommendations to increase the success of the Initiative, to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee and the House Committee on Ways and Means.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-243" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Aid to Education"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “Fund” means the Maggie McIntosh School Arts Fund.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>There is a Maggie McIntosh School Arts Fund.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The purpose of the Fund is to provide grants to public schools in Baltimore City to purchase art supplies for classrooms.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Arts Every Day shall administer the Fund.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The Fund consists of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Revenue distributed to the Fund under § 9–120(b)(1)(viii) of the State Government Article;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Interest earnings or other income earned from the investment of any money from the Fund; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The Fund shall be used to expand the arts curriculum for students in public schools in Baltimore City with grants to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Purchase art supplies for classrooms; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Provide arts experiences.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>The State Treasurer shall invest the money of the Fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any interest earnings of the Fund shall be credited to the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>Expenditures from the Fund may be made only in accordance with the State budget.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-301" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Aid for School Construction"> <text>In this subtitle, “Interagency Commission” means the Interagency Commission on School Construction established under § 5–302 of this subtitle.</text> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-302" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Aid for School Construction"> <level label="a"> <text>There is an Interagency Commission on School Construction.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Interagency Commission is an independent unit of State government.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The purpose of the Interagency Commission is to develop and approve policies, procedures, guidelines, and regulations on State school construction allocations to local jurisdictions in an independent and merit–based manner.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Interagency Commission consists of the following members:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The State Superintendent of Schools, or the Superintendent’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Secretary of Planning, or the Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Secretary of General Services, or the Secretary’s designee;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Two members of the public appointed by the Governor;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Two members of the public appointed by the President of the Senate; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Two members of the public appointed by the Speaker of the House.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Governor, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House jointly shall select the Chair of the Interagency Commission.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>An appointed member of the Interagency Commission may not be:</text> <level label="i"> <text>An individual who is a regulated lobbyist as described in § 5–702(a)(1), (2), (3), or (4) of the General Provisions Article;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A federal, State, or local elected official;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>An employee of State or county government or a county board of education; or</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>An individual who has a business interest in, or contracts related to, school construction in any jurisdiction in the State.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An appointed member of the Interagency Commission may be removed for incompetence, misconduct, or failure to perform the duties of the position by:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The Governor, if appointed by the Governor;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The President of the Senate, if appointed by the President of the Senate; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The Speaker of the House, if appointed by the Speaker of the House.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>An appointed member of the Interagency Commission:</text> <level label="1"> <text>May not receive compensation as a member of the Commission; but</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations, as provided in the State budget.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>The Interagency Commission is a public body and subject to Title 3 of the General Provisions Article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Deliberations and decisions regarding the eligibility of projects and allocation of funding shall be considered quasi–legislative functions for the purposes of the Open Meetings Act.</text> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <level label="1"> <text>The Interagency Commission may employ staff, including contractual staff, in accordance with the State budget.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Interagency Commission shall appoint an Executive Director of the Interagency Commission.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>The Department or any other State agency may lend its employees to serve as the staff for the Interagency Commission.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>These employees shall be paid by the agency that employs them.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-303" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Aid for School Construction"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>The Interagency Commission shall define by regulation what constitutes an eligible and ineligible public school construction or capital improvement cost.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (4) of this subsection, in order for the cost of an item or a system funded with the proceeds of general obligation bonds to be considered an eligible cost, it must have a median useful life of at least 15 years.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The Interagency Commission shall include modular construction as an approved public school construction or capital cost.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Interagency Commission shall adopt regulations that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Define modular construction; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Establish the minimum specifications required for approval of modular construction as a public school construction or capital improvement cost.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The cost of acquiring land may not be considered a construction or capital improvement cost and may not be paid by the State.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Interagency Commission shall adopt regulations for the Public School Construction Program that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Include architectural, engineering, consulting, and other planning costs as eligible public school construction or capital improvement costs for a project or improvement that has received local planning approval from the Interagency Commission; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Define eligibility for all furniture, fixtures, and equipment with a median useful life of at least 15 years.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Interagency Commission, in consultation with the Department of General Services and the Department of Housing and Community Development, shall adopt regulations establishing criteria designed to enhance indoor air quality for the occupants of relocatable classrooms constructed after July 1, 2014, that are purchased or leased using State or local funds, including specifications that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Require each unit to include appropriate air barriers to limit infiltration;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Require that each unit be constructed in a manner that provides protection against water damage through the use of proper roofing materials, exterior sheathing, water drainage systems, and flashing;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Require that each unit provide continuous forced ventilation when the unit is occupied;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Require each unit to include a programmable thermostat;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Require each unit to be outfitted with energy efficient lighting and heating and air–conditioning systems; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Mandate that each unit be constructed with building materials that contain low amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in accordance with industry standards.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The State shall pay the costs in excess of available federal funds of the State share of public school construction projects and public school capital improvements in each county if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The projects or improvements have been approved by the Interagency Commission; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Contracts have been executed on or after July 1, 1971, for the projects or improvements.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The Interagency Commission may adopt regulations for the administration of the programs provided for in this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The regulations adopted by the Interagency Commission may contain requirements for:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The submission of other data or information that is relevant to school construction or capital improvement;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The approval of sites, plans, and specifications for the construction of new school buildings or the improvement of existing buildings;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Site improvements;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Competitive bidding;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>The hiring of personnel in connection with school construction or capital improvements;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>The actual construction of school buildings or their improvements;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>The relative roles of different State and local governmental agencies in the planning and construction of school buildings or school capital improvements;</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>School construction and capital improvements necessary or appropriate for the proper implementation of this section;</text> </level> <level label="ix"> <text>The establishment of priority public school construction programs;</text> </level> <level label="x"> <text>Development of cooperative arrangements that permit the sharing of facilities among two or more school systems;</text> </level> <level label="xi"> <text>The selection of architects and engineers by school systems;</text> </level> <level label="xii"> <text>The award of contracts by school systems;</text> </level> <level label="xiii"> <text>Methods of payments made by the State under the Public School Construction Program; and</text> </level> <level label="xiv"> <text>The use of a standard statewide computerized maintenance management system for school facilities maintenance work order tracking and reporting.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The regulations adopted by the Interagency Commission shall contain provisions:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Subject to paragraph (6) of this subsection and subsection (k) of this section, establishing a State and local cost–share formula for each county that identifies the factors used in establishing the formulas and the actual State and local cost–share percentages by the formula for each county;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Requiring local education agencies to adopt educational facilities master plans and annual capital improvement programs;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Subject to subsection (l) of this section, providing a method for establishing a maximum State award for each project approved for State funding;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Referencing the policies stated in § 5–7B–07 of the State Finance and Procurement Article;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Requiring local school systems to adopt procedures consistent with the minority business enterprise policies of the State as required under the Code of Maryland Regulations;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>Establishing a process for appeal of Interagency Commission decisions, including an appeal process specifically for approved enrollment projections for individual projects to the full Interagency Commission;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>Requiring local education agencies to adopt, implement, and periodically update comprehensive maintenance plans and preventative maintenance plans;</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>Authorizing the Interagency Commission to withhold State public school construction funds from a local education agency that fails to comply with the requirements of item (vii) of this paragraph;</text> </level> <level label="ix"> <text>Requiring the development and submission of long–range plans, including a requirement for the annual submission of a 10–Year Educational Facilities Master Plan; and</text> </level> <level label="x"> <text>Requiring the submission of an annual Capital Improvement Program, which may only be required to include plans for specific projects and requests for planning and construction projects for the upcoming fiscal year.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>In adopting any of these requirements, the State Board and the Interagency Commission shall provide for the maximum exercise of initiative by school personnel in each county to ensure that the school buildings and improvements meet both the needs of the local communities and the rules and regulations necessary to ensure the proper operation of this section and the prudent expenditure of State funds.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The Interagency Commission shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Update the regulations required under paragraph (3)(i) of this subsection every 2 years; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>When updating the regulations in accordance with item (i) of this paragraph, limit the percentage decrease in the State share of school construction costs to not more than 5% for each county.</text> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <text>When adopting the State and local cost–share formula under paragraph (3)(i) of this subsection, the Interagency Commission shall set the State share at 100% for the Maryland School for the Blind.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Interagency Commission shall develop the rules, regulations, and procedures authorized by this section in consultation with representatives of the county boards and the county governing bodies.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The regulations and procedures of the Interagency Commission adopted under this section and their promulgation are exempt from § 8–127(b) of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>With respect to public school construction or public school capital improvements, including sites for school buildings, the authority, responsibilities, powers, and duties of the following are subject to the regulations adopted by the Interagency Commission under this section:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The State Board;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The State Superintendent;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The county governments;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>The county boards; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>All other State or local governmental agencies under this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If, as to public school construction or public school capital improvements, there is any conflict between the regulations and procedures of the Interagency Commission and the authority, responsibilities, powers, and duties of the individuals and agencies specified in paragraph (1) of this subsection, the regulations and procedures of the Interagency Commission shall prevail.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>The obligation of the State to pay the costs of public school construction and public school capital improvements extends only to those projects or parts of projects that comply with the regulations and procedures of the Interagency Commission.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Interagency Commission may not partially fund an eligible school construction project for a systemic renovation unless the local education agency has requested partial funding.</text> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <level label="1"> <text>This subsection does not apply to the proceeds from the sale, lease, or disposition of public school buildings constructed under contracts executed before February 1, 1971.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Consistent with § 4–115 of this article and regulations adopted by the Interagency Commission to implement § 4–126 of this article, the Interagency Commission may require by regulation that the portion of the proceeds received by a county from the sale, lease, or disposal of any public school building that represent State funds provided within 15 years prior to the date of the transaction shall be used solely as part of the State funding of the construction of future public school buildings in the county in which the sale, lease, or disposal occurred, if the public school building was constructed under a contract executed on or after February 1, 1971.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The part of the proceeds from the sale, lease, or disposal of a public school building that fairly represents the appraised value of land and that part of the cost of the public school building that was funded by the county shall remain as the funds of the county.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A transfer of interest in a public school building in connection with a financing of the cost of construction and improvements to such buildings is not a sale, lease, or disposal of the public school facility.</text> </level> </level> <level label="j"> <level label="1"> <text>Whether by budget bill or supplementary appropriation bill, all money appropriated to carry out the purposes of this section is a separate fund that shall be administered by the State Comptroller in accordance with the regulations adopted by the Interagency Commission.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Subject to paragraph (3) of this subsection, any unexpended allocations of funds for previously approved projects shall be transferred to the fund established under paragraph (1) of this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>Any funds approved for a county for a project that has not been contracted for within 2 years of the approval of the project, shall be:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Available for another eligible project in the county in the current fiscal year; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Reserved for eligible projects in the county in the next fiscal year, in addition to the new funds allocated for eligible projects in the county in the next fiscal year, and may not supplant new funds allocated in the next fiscal year or in later fiscal years.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Any funds reserved under subparagraph (i)2 of this paragraph that have not been used to contract for a project within 2 years of the date the funds were reserved shall be available for allocation to an eligible project in any county.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>On or before February 28, May 31, August 31, and November 30 each year, the Interagency Commission shall report to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, and the Department of Legislative Services on the balance in the fund as of the last day of the immediately preceding quarter as the result of transfers or reversions required under this subsection and any expenditures.</text> </level> </level> <level label="k"> <level label="1"> <text>A county is eligible for an adjustment to the local cost–share for school construction projects under paragraph (2) of this subsection if:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A county’s median household income is in the bottom quartile in the State; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The State and local cost–share formula for the county is 50% State and 50% local.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The local cost–share of a school construction project in a county that is eligible under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be reduced to equal the local cost–share of the adjacent county that is less than 50% but closest to 50%.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The State cost–share of a school construction project in the eligible county shall be increased by a percentage that is equal to the reduction under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A county shall receive:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A 10 percentage point increase in the State share of a school construction project if the proposed school construction project, when a local school system submits a project for approval to the Interagency Commission, is at a school with a concentration of poverty level, as defined in § 5–223 of this title, of 80% or greater;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A 5 percentage point increase in the State share of a school construction project if the proposed school construction project, when a local school system submits a project for approval to the Interagency Commission, is at a school with a concentration of poverty level, as defined in § 5–223 of this title, of less than 80% but greater than 55%;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>A 5 percentage point increase in the State share of a school construction project if the proposed school construction project is at a school that, in the most recent school maintenance effectiveness assessment by the Interagency Commission, received an assessment rating of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Good;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Superior; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Adequate and the school’s current school facility assessment percent of expected useful life is at least 120%; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>A 5 percentage point increase in the State share of a school construction project if the proposed project is to build a net–zero school.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="l"> <text>The Interagency Commission may make an eligible enrollment deduction for an adjacent school when calculating the maximum State construction allocation for a project approved for State funding under subsection (d)(3)(ii) of this section only if the sum of available seat count in all adjacent schools is 15% or more of the project school’s enrollment.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-304" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Aid for School Construction"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>The Interagency Commission shall prepare projections of school construction and capital improvement needs for submission to the Capital Debt Affordability Committee under § 8–112(c)(3) of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The projections shall be prepared in accordance with the regulations adopted by the Interagency Commission under § 5–303 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The Interagency Commission shall notify each county board and each local governing body of the annual allocation of school construction funds recommended by the Governor under § 8–113 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The notification shall be made immediately after the Governor has recommended the allocations so that each county may structure its respective school construction and capital improvement priorities in accordance with the annual allocation and any amendments.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Before May 1 each year, the Interagency Commission may not approve public school construction projects that comprise more than 75% of the preliminary school construction allocation, determined under § 8–113 of the State Finance and Procurement Article, for the following fiscal year.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>On or before March 1 each year, the Interagency Commission shall provide recommendations to the presiding officers and the budget committees of the General Assembly and the Department of Legislative Services for public school construction projects that comprise 90% of the school construction allocation included in the capital budget submitted by the Governor for the following fiscal year.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Interagency Commission shall establish an appeal process to allow local jurisdictions to request funding for projects that were not approved by the Interagency Commission under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>On or after May 1 each year, the Interagency Commission shall approve 100% of the school construction allocation included in the capital budget bill as enacted.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>On or before November 30 each year, the Interagency Commission shall provide to each county board and each local governing body a report containing the following information for each project that a local education agency has requested for State funding in the capital budget bill:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The status of the request; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If available, the maximum State award estimated or adopted by the Interagency Commission.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>On or before December 31 and January 31 each year, the Interagency Commission shall provide to each county board and each local governing body a report containing the following information for each project that a local education agency has requested for State funding in the capital budget bill:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The status of the request;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If available, the maximum State award estimated or adopted by the Interagency Commission; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The projected 100% capital award.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The following actions by the Interagency Commission are final and are not subject to additional appeals or approvals by another unit of the Executive Branch of State government:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A decision made by the Interagency Commission under the appeal process established by the Interagency Commission; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The approval of public school construction projects under this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Interagency Commission shall allow any documents or data required by the Interagency Commission from any source, including local education agencies and State agencies, to be submitted electronically to the Interagency Commission.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Interagency Commission shall be a central repository for information on:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The use of pre–fab and building system options;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Procurement methods;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>School facility design and construction; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Best practices in school construction.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>In consultation with the Maryland Stadium Authority, the Interagency Commission shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Provide technical assistance and support to local education agencies on the use of alternative financing and alternative project delivery methods for school construction;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Develop a public–private partnership pilot program that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Provides financial assistance that shall be supplemental to and may not take the place of funding that would otherwise be appropriated for school construction to assist local education agencies interested in pursuing alternative financing to cover the cost of associated risks; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Requires local education agencies that use alternative financing to fully document the process, expectations, and results;</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Provide technical support for agreements between and among local education agencies and county governing bodies, including regional partnerships, to promote efficiency;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Utilize and promote technological advances to make school building design more efficient and innovative; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Utilize and promote technology to streamline compliance review and project deliveries.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The Interagency Commission shall work with a local education agency with declining enrollment to identify buildings for consolidation or find alternative uses for underutilized school buildings, subject to the approval of the county board.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-305" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Aid for School Construction"> <level label="a"> <text>Each county board shall keep:</text> <level label="1"> <text>All money for the construction of public school buildings and public school facilities and the purchase of land for public schools in a separate account from that used for current expenses; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A separate and independent accounting system for all public school construction money.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>In Anne Arundel County, the county board may borrow from one fund to meet temporary cash requirements of another fund or to reimburse another fund for services performed.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>This borrowing or reimbursement is subject to the county charter.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-305.1" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Aid for School Construction"> <text>Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Anne Arundel County Board may include capital projects that are to be funded over a period of 2 fiscal years in the capital budget, whether or not part of the funding period falls in a calendar year that is an election year for county officials.</text> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-306" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Aid for School Construction"> <level label="a"> <text>This section supplements the provisions of §§ 5–101 through 5–107 of this title and does not supersede or impair those provisions.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Before December 1 of each odd–numbered calendar year, the Montgomery County Board shall prepare and submit to the Montgomery County Executive a 6–year capital improvements program.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The capital improvements program shall include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A statement of the objectives of the capital programs and the relationship of these programs to the long–range development plans adopted by the county;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Recommended capital projects and a proposed construction schedule;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An estimate of cost and a statement of all funding sources; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>All anticipated capital projects and programs of the county board, including substantial improvements and extensions of projects previously authorized.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The County Executive shall include the 6–year program of the county board, with the recommended revisions and modifications of the County Executive, in the comprehensive 6–year program submitted each even–numbered calendar year to the Montgomery County Council under § 302 of the Montgomery County charter.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>On or before adoption of its annual budget and appropriations resolution in each even–numbered calendar year, the County Council shall adopt a 6–year capital improvements program for the county board as a part of the comprehensive 6–year program.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>This 6–year capital improvements program shall be adopted after public hearings on the 6–year programs or capital budgets of the county and other agencies.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>In its adoption, the County Council may make amendments, revisions, and modifications.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The County Council may amend an approved capital improvements program at any time by an affirmative vote of six council members.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Any amendment, revision, or modification may not become final until it is submitted to the county board for written comment with at least 30 days’ notice.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-307" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Aid for School Construction"> <level label="a"> <text>The Interagency Commission shall assist the Prince George’s County Board of Education in developing an education facility master plan that encourages and supports the neighborhood school concept to improve the quality of education for all students in Prince George’s County.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The education facility master plan under subsection (a) of this section shall be updated annually.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>To the extent the Prince George’s County Board of Education and the county consider appropriate, the neighborhood school concept of the education facility master plan may include interagency utilization of neighborhood schools, including joint use of school facilities and property of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The Maryland–National Capital Park and Planning Commission;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Prince George’s County library system;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Prince George’s County Health Department;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Prince George’s County Police Department;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The Prince George’s County Department of Social Services; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>The Prince George’s County Department of Family Services.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Prince George’s County Board of Education may construct a school facility planned for joint use by the county board and a public agency listed in subsection (c) of this section on property owned by a public agency other than the county board.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-308" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Aid for School Construction"> <level label="a"> <text>Notwithstanding the provisions of Title 10, Subtitle 3 of the State Finance and Procurement Article, the State may not require reimbursement of debt service from a county for a school that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Was initially constructed on or before February 1, 1971;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Is no longer used for a purpose that is eligible for State funding for public school construction;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Has had title transferred to a county government; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Is being used for local governmental purposes other than public education; provided, however, that if a former school building is sold by a county government the State shall be reimbursed for outstanding debt service, and if more than 10 percent of usable space within a former school is rented for an amount exceeding the cost of operating and maintaining such space, such rental profit shall be used toward retiring outstanding bonded indebtedness.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Subject to subsection (c) of this section, this State shall require reimbursement of outstanding debt service from a county for a school that:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Was constructed under this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Was initially constructed or substantially altered by additions, alterations, or renovations and the cost of the construction at the time of execution exceeded $100,000 and the work was accomplished after February 1, 1971;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Is no longer used for a purpose that is eligible for State funding for public school construction;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Has had title transferred to a county government;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Is being used for local governmental purposes by the State or a county or by any instrumentality of the State or county other than public education; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Has outstanding debt which exceeds $5,000.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>A county government is not required to reimburse the State for outstanding debt service for a school building that is transferred to the county government in accordance with subsection (b) of this section until 5 years after the school building is transferred.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>After the 5–year period in paragraph (1) of this subsection ends, the county government shall reimburse the State for outstanding debt service for a school building in the amount that the county government would have been required to pay when the school building was transferred to the county.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-309" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Aid for School Construction"> <level label="a"> <text>It is the intent of the General Assembly that the Department and the Public School Construction Program encourage local education agencies to reuse recently used school designs, when educationally appropriate and cost effective over the useful life of the project, within each county and across local school system boundaries.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Interagency Commission on School Construction shall develop and provide incentives for local education agencies to use prototype school designs.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The incentives to use prototype school designs may include expedited State review of projects.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>In this subsection, “net–zero” means that the total amount of energy used by a building on an annual basis is equal to or less than the amount of renewable energy created on the site.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Interagency Commission shall establish incentives for:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The construction of net–zero school buildings; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The use of energy efficient or other preferred materials in public school construction.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The incentives established under subsections (b) and (c) of this section shall be supplemental to and are not intended to take the place of funding that otherwise would be appropriated to local education agencies for school construction.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>Before the Interagency Commission may provide any incentives established in accordance with subsection (b) or (c) of this section, the Interagency Commission shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Notify the budget committees of the General Assembly in writing of the proposed incentives; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Allow the budget committees 30 days to review and comment on the proposed incentives.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-310" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Aid for School Construction"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Educational facilities sufficiency standards” means a uniform set of criteria and measures for evaluating the physical attributes and educational suitability of public elementary and secondary school facilities in the State.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Facility condition index” means a calculation to determine the relative physical condition of public school facilities by dividing the total repair cost of a facility by the total replacement cost of a facility.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>Each fiscal year, the Interagency Commission shall conduct a maintenance effectiveness assessment on school buildings identified by the Department.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Interagency Commission shall include in the assessment of individual school buildings a process to incorporate maintenance data for individual school buildings.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The Interagency Commission shall conduct a statewide facilities assessment of individual school buildings.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Interagency Commission shall include in the assessment of individual school buildings a process for a local education agency to report, at least once every 4 years in accordance with a schedule developed by the Interagency Commission, additional information that is relevant to the assessment, including a place in the Master Facility Asset Library System for the local education agency to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Report, in accordance with the schedule developed by the Interagency Commission, to the Interagency Commission on deficiencies in a school building, even if an assessment of the school building was not completed in accordance with this paragraph in the immediately preceding year;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Identify spaces in a school building likely to have been painted with lead paint; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Report certification of the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act plan for the space.</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The statewide facilities assessment shall include data provided by local education agencies, at least once every 4 years in accordance with the schedule developed by the Interagency Commission, on the following items for each school building:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Temperature;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Humidity;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Carbon dioxide level;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Acoustic levels;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Lead paint;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Asbestos;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Kitchen sanitary equipment;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>Lighting;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>Emergency communication system, with respect to remaining useful life;</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>Health room attributes;</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>Safety equipment in each laboratory space; and</text> </level> <level label="12"> <text>The functionality of:</text> </level> <level label="A"> <text>Heating, ventilation, and air–conditioning building systems;</text> </level> <level label="B"> <text>Life safety building systems;</text> </level> <level label="C"> <text>Roofs; and</text> </level> <level label="D"> <text>Any additional critical building systems identified by the Interagency Commission.</text> </level> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>During an inspection conducted as a part of the statewide facilities assessment, if an item under subparagraph (iii)1 through 6 of this paragraph rises to such a severe level that requires the school to be closed, the local education agency shall submit a plan to the Interagency Commission on how to address the issue and the Interagency Commission shall work to prioritize funding to address the issue.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>On or before October 1 each year, the Interagency Commission shall report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on the results of the maintenance effectiveness assessment for the immediately preceding fiscal year.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>On or before November 1 each year, the Interagency Commission shall report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on the results of the statewide facilities assessment for the immediately preceding fiscal year.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>On or before July 1, 2018, in consultation with local education agencies, the Interagency Commission on School Construction shall adopt educational facilities sufficiency standards and a facility condition index for Maryland public schools.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The purpose of the educational facilities sufficiency standards is to establish uniform standards for the assessment of the physical attributes, capacity, and educational suitability of public school facilities in Maryland.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The standards shall include at least the following categories:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Building condition related to life safety and health;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Building systems;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Building capacity and utilization, including the ability to house students in permanent space;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Academic space, including specialty classroom space; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Physical education and outdoor recreational space.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Interagency Commission shall periodically review and update the educational facilities sufficiency standards.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>On or before July 1, 2019, the Interagency Commission shall complete an initial statewide facilities assessment using the educational facilities sufficiency standards adopted under subsections (c) and (d) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In completing the assessment the Interagency Commission shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Incorporate the facility condition index adopted under subsection (c) of this section;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Contract with an independent third–party vendor to conduct data collection and assessment;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Utilize, to the extent possible, existing data sources, including the Educational Facilities Master Plan and the Maryland Association of Boards of Education; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Coordinate with local education agencies to identify data elements to be used in the facility assessment.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>Following the completion of the initial statewide facilities assessment, the Interagency Commission shall develop standards and procedures to comprehensively update the facilities assessment such that facility assessment data is not older than 4 years.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Local education agencies shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Cooperate with the Interagency Commission to update the facility assessment; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Contribute data as requested to update the assessment.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>The Interagency Commission shall enter the facility assessment data into an integrated data system, which shall be known as the Integrated Master Facility Asset Library.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Interagency Commission shall manage the Integrated Master Facility Asset Library and shall provide access to the Library for all local education agencies using a cloud–based system.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Integrated Master Facility Asset Library shall include preventive maintenance schedules accessible to each local education agency.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Interagency Commission may not use any facility assessment data until the Interagency Commission establishes the Integrated Master Facility Asset Library.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>After the Interagency Commission has established the Integrated Master Facility Asset Library, and on or after May 1, 2026, the Interagency Commission shall adopt regulations establishing the use of the facility assessment results in annual school construction funding decisions beginning not sooner than fiscal year 2027.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Before the Integrated Master Facility Asset Library is established, the Interagency Commission may use facility assessment data to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Provide context to programs the Interagency Commission administers;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Work with local education agencies;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Fulfill legislative requests;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Complete any Interagency Commission analysis or report; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Assist with any external reports.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in § 5–314(e) of this subtitle, each county board shall develop and adopt preventative maintenance schedules based on industry standards for the public school facilities within the jurisdiction of the county board.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>On or before July 1 each year, each county board shall report to the Interagency Commission on the board’s compliance with the preventative maintenance schedules adopted under this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The information reported in accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection shall be entered into the Integrated Master Facility Asset Library.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-310.1" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Aid for School Construction"> <level label="a"> <text>The Interagency Commission shall adopt facility mapping standards for the uniform mapping of the physical attributes of public schools in the State.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Local school systems shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Cooperate with the Interagency Commission in the development of uniform mapping standards; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Contribute data as requested by the Interagency Commission.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-311" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Aid for School Construction"> <text>On or before July 1 of each year, the Department of General Services shall provide a report to the Department and each local education agency that describes existing State purchasing contracts that local education agencies may use to purchase school furniture, equipment, commodities, and services.</text> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-312" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Aid for School Construction"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “high performance building” has the meaning stated in § 3–602.1 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>This section applies to the construction of new schools that have not initiated a Request For Proposal for the selection of an architectural and engineering consultant on or before July 1, 2009.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, a new school that receives State public school construction funds shall be constructed to be a high performance building.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The Interagency Commission shall establish a process to allow a school system to obtain a waiver from complying with subsection (c) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The waiver process shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Include a review by the Interagency Commission to determine if the construction of a high performance building is not practicable; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Require the approval of a waiver by the Interagency Commission.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>For fiscal years 2010 through 2014 only, the State shall pay 50% of the local share of the extra costs, identified and approved by the Interagency Commission, that are incurred in constructing a new school to meet the high performance building requirements of this section.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The Interagency Commission shall adopt regulations to implement the requirements of this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-312.1" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Aid for School Construction"> <level label="a"> <text>Beginning July 1, 2022, each school district shall adopt or update a school district energy policy.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A school district energy policy must:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Address the purchasing, conservation, and efficiency of energy for the school district;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Provide for the monitoring and reporting of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The amount of electricity used from renewable energy sources;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The percentage of the school district’s annual electricity use that is from renewable energy sources; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The school district’s overall electricity use by source and square foot; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Include current and historical data on the school district’s energy use by square foot.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>In adopting or updating a school district energy policy, each school district is encouraged to set targets to increase the school district’s use of renewable energy and reduce the school district’s greenhouse gas emissions.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The school district energy policy shall be:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Posted on the school district’s website; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Updated every 3 years.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>On or before January 1, 2022, the Interagency Commission shall coordinate with the Department of the Environment and the Maryland Energy Administration to develop a standardized reporting template that school districts can use to report on:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The amount of electricity from renewable energy sources that the school district used;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The percentage of the school district’s annual electricity use that is from renewable energy sources; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The school district’s overall electricity use by:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Source;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Square foot; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Individual school, if possible.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-313" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Aid for School Construction"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Program” means the Capital Grant Program for Local School Systems With Significant Enrollment Growth or Relocatable Classrooms.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Significant enrollment growth” means full–time equivalent enrollment growth in a local school system that has exceeded 150% of the statewide average over the past 5 years.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>“Significant number of relocatable classrooms” means an average of more than 250 relocatable classrooms in a local school system over the past 5 years.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>There is a Capital Grant Program for Local School Systems With Significant Enrollment Growth or Relocatable Classrooms.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The purpose of the Program is to provide grants for public school construction in local school systems that are experiencing significant enrollment growth or a significant number of relocatable classrooms.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>The Program shall be implemented and administered by the Interagency Commission on School Construction in accordance with this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Grants awarded by the Interagency Commission under the Program shall be matched by local funds equal to the required local cost–share established in accordance with § 5–303(d)(3) of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Interagency Commission shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Provide grants from State funds dedicated for the Program to county boards for public school construction in local school systems that are experiencing significant enrollment growth or a significant number of relocatable classrooms;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Develop a procedure for a county board to apply for a grant under the Program;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Develop eligibility requirements for a county board to receive a grant under the Program, including a requirement for a county board to provide funds to match a grant award;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>For the first $40,000,000 of grants, develop a process to allocate grant awards under the Program that allocate funds based on each eligible county board’s proportionate share of the total full–time equivalent enrollment of the county boards that are eligible to participate in the Program; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>After the allocation of grants under item (4) of this subsection, for the remaining grants, develop a process to allocate grant awards under the Program that allocates funds based on each eligible county board’s proportionate share of percentage of enrollment growth above the statewide average percentage.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>In addition to the annual amount otherwise provided in the capital improvement program of the Public School Construction Program, the Governor annually shall provide an additional amount as follows in the operating budget or capital improvement program of the Public School Construction Program that may be used only to award grants under the Program:</text> <level label="1"> <text>In fiscal year 2016, $20,000,000;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In each of fiscal years 2017 through 2026, $40,000,000; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>In fiscal year 2027 and each fiscal year thereafter, $80,000,000.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The State funding provided under the Program is supplemental to and is not intended to take the place of funding that would otherwise be appropriated for public school construction purposes to a county board from any other source.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The Interagency Commission shall adopt procedures necessary to implement this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-314" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Aid for School Construction"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>Notwithstanding § 2–303(f) of this article, the process for the review and approval of public school construction projects shall be in accordance with the provisions of this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>This section applies only to construction projects and systemic renovation projects that cost more than $1,250,000 and:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Have received State funding, or for which a local education agency will be requesting State funding; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>That replace or make changes to a heating, ventilation, or air–conditioning system that are not like–for–like replacements of system components.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>At least once every 4 years, the Interagency Commission shall review the cost threshold amount under paragraph (2) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, educational specifications and schematic designs for applicable construction projects that will affect the plan configuration of student–occupied spaces in a school building or on its grounds are required to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Be reviewed by the Interagency Commission; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Prior to finalization by a local education agency, have any concerns or recommendations of the Interagency Commission satisfactorily resolved.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>To provide efficiency within the process, the Department and the Interagency Commission shall consider altering the review and approval process required under paragraph (1) of this subsection, including a rolling deadline for submission of documents, with schematic designs submitted following the completion of the educational specifications review.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Change orders for applicable construction projects and systemic renovation projects may not be:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Reviewed by the Department of General Services; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Approved by the Interagency Commission.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A percentage of the State allocation related to change orders may not be withheld.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Local education agencies shall maintain contingency funds for each approved project to address unanticipated construction costs above the State allocation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, design and construction documents for applicable construction projects and systemic renovation projects are required to be:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Reviewed by the Department of General Services; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Approved by the Interagency Commission.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Department of General Services and the Interagency Commission, in consultation with local education agencies, shall develop a timeline for submission, review, and approval of design and construction documents.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>The provisions of subsections (b) and (d) of this section and § 5–310(h) of this subtitle do not apply to a local education agency that successfully completes a certification process that meets the requirements of this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Subject to the review and approval of the Interagency Commission, the Department of General Services shall develop a certification process through which a local education agency is able to demonstrate the expertise and capacity to complete the review of educational specifications, schematic designs, design and construction documents, or preventative maintenance schedule compliance within the county.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The certification process developed by the Department of General Services shall provide for a renewable, 5–year certification for a local education agency that successfully completes the certification process.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>School construction projects that are funded entirely with local funds are not required to be reviewed by the Department unless the project substantially alters or expands an existing school building that was built in part with State funds.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>If there is any conflict between the provisions of this section and the regulations and procedures of the Interagency Commission, the Department, or the Department of General Services, the provisions of this section shall prevail.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-316" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Aid for School Construction"> <text>As directed by the Interagency Commission, the State Treasurer shall supervise the distribution of any money that the General Assembly appropriates for public school construction for:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Buildings;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Equipment;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>New construction; or</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Any other capital expenditure.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-317" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Aid for School Construction"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “Program” means the School Safety Grant Program.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>There is a School Safety Grant Program.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The purpose of the Program is to provide grants to county boards for school security improvements, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Secure and lockable classroom doors for each classroom in the school;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>An area of safe refuge in each classroom in the school; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Surveillance and other security technology for school monitoring purposes.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Program shall be implemented and administered by the Interagency Commission, in consultation with the Maryland Center for School Safety.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Interagency Commission shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Provide grants to county boards for public school security improvements;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Develop a procedure for a county board to apply for a grant under the Program; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Develop eligibility requirements for a county board to receive a grant under the Program.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>In addition to the annual amount otherwise provided in the capital improvement program of the Public School Construction Program, the Governor shall provide an additional $10,000,000 in the annual operating or capital budget bill that may be used only to award grants under the Program.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The State funding provided under the Program is supplemental to and is not intended to take the place of funding that would otherwise be appropriated for public school construction purposes to a county board from any other source.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The Interagency Commission shall adopt regulations necessary to implement this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-318" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Aid for School Construction"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>There is a solar energy pilot program to promote the use of solar energy systems to generate electricity in public school buildings in the State.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The pilot program shall be implemented and administered by the Interagency Commission and shall operate as provided in this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Interagency Commission shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Encourage all local boards in the State to study, design, and construct or renovate school buildings that are energy efficient and use solar energy systems to generate electricity to meet some of the school building’s electrical energy needs, electrical energy demand, or a combination of the electrical energy needs and electrical energy demand;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Provide grants out of State funds dedicated for this program to local boards to assist in implementing the use of solar energy systems at existing public schools or in new or renovated school building projects; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Develop a procedure for a local board to apply for a grant in accordance with subsection (c) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>A local board may apply to the Interagency Commission for a grant to cover 90% of the cost to purchase and install a solar energy system to generate a portion of the school building’s electrical energy needs or electrical energy demand.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A local board that receives a grant under this subsection shall pay:</text> <level label="i"> <text>10% of the cost to purchase and install the solar energy system; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>All architectural or engineering fees for the design and supervision of the installation of the solar energy system.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Interagency Commission may award a grant under this section for a solar energy system project.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Local school systems are encouraged to seek private funding to implement the pilot program.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The total savings of electrical energy needs and electrical energy demand costs that result from the installation and use of solar energy systems under this section shall remain with the local school system.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>The Interagency Commission and the Maryland Energy Administration shall cooperate with, assist, provide technical assistance to, and advise school systems to identify appropriate existing public school buildings and public school construction projects that would benefit from the installation of solar energy systems.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Interagency Commission shall adopt procedures necessary to implement this section.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-319" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Aid for School Construction"> <level label="a"> <text>The Interagency Commission shall adopt regulations that require the design development documents for the construction or major renovation of school buildings submitted by a county board to the Interagency Commission to include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>An evaluation of the use of solar technologies, including photovoltaic or solar water heating, based on life cycle costs; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If an evaluation determines that solar technologies are not appropriate for a construction or major renovation project, a report that explains why the use of the technology is not appropriate.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>On or before February 28 each year, as provided in § 5–325 of this subtitle, the Interagency Commission shall submit a report on the number of public school construction and major renovation projects in each jurisdiction that used solar technologies or alternative energy systems in the immediately preceding calendar year to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-320" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Aid for School Construction"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>For the purposes of this section, replacement cost shall be determined by the product of the area of a building that is over 40 years old times the current cost per square foot of building construction which may not include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Specialized costs of demolition;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Site development;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The fees of architects and engineers; or</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Air conditioning.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>All existing area that is not at least 40 years old shall be excluded from this calculation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If a county board finds, after preparing feasibility and life cycle cost studies, that it is appropriate and economically beneficial to renovate an existing school building that, in whole or part, has been in continuous educational use for 40 years or more and the cost of the proposed renovation work is not more than the replacement cost of the building or part of a building of the same area and purpose, the Interagency Commission shall consider a request for State funding on the basis of these findings.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Before it is considered for funding, the project shall be:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Justified as to need and continued purpose; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Included in an annual capital improvement program that has been approved by the Interagency Commission.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-321" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Aid for School Construction"> <level label="a"> <text>The indebtedness of a county may not be considered to be increased by the receipt of money by a county from participation in the General Public School Construction Loan of 1956 or any similar act.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A county may not be required to levy ad valorem taxes on its taxable basis for the purpose of repaying to the State any money received by the county as a result of these acts during the calendar year 1958 or after or the interest or carrying charges with respect to this money.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>All money received by a county during the calendar year 1958 or after because of the participation of the county in the General Public School Construction Loan of 1956 or any similar act shall be deducted from the funds due the county under the applicable provisions of State law that relate to the:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Income tax;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Tax on racing;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Recordation tax;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Tax on amusements;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>License tax; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>School building construction aid program under § 5–303(c) of this subtitle, provided that money may not be deducted for any general public school construction loans that no longer require repayment by the county under § 5–303(c) of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>All obligations in connection with funds received by a county from the General Public School Construction Loan of 1956 or any similar act are self–liquidating obligations, incurred for self–liquidating projects within the meaning of those terms as used in any charter or public general or public local law of this State.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>Any law that is inconsistent with the provisions of this section is repealed to the extent of the inconsistency.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-322" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Aid for School Construction"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “Fund” means the Healthy School Facility Fund.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>There is a Healthy School Facility Fund.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The purpose of the Fund is to provide grants to public primary and secondary schools in the State to improve the health of school facilities.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Interagency Commission on School Construction shall administer the Fund.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The Fund consists of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any interest earnings of the Fund; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>The State Treasurer shall invest the money of the Fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any interest earnings of the Fund shall be credited to the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <text>Expenditures from the Fund may be made only in accordance with the State budget.</text> </level> <level label="i"> <text>Money expended from the Fund is supplemental to and is not intended to take the place of funding that otherwise would be appropriated to primary and secondary schools under this article.</text> </level> <level label="j"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>In each of fiscal years 2020 through 2022, the Governor shall appropriate at least $30,000,000 to the Fund.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>In fiscal year 2023, the Governor shall appropriate at least $40,000,000 to the Fund.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>In each of fiscal years 2024 through 2026, the Governor shall appropriate at least $90,000,000 to the Fund.</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>For each of fiscal years 2021 through 2026, 50% of the funds appropriated under subparagraphs (i) and (ii) of this paragraph shall be awarded to public schools in Baltimore City.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, the Interagency Commission on School Construction shall give priority in awarding grants to schools based on the severity of issues in the school, including:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Air conditioning;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Heating;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Indoor air quality;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Mold remediation;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Temperature regulation;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Plumbing, including pipe insulation to reduce condensation in order to prevent mold and the presence of lead in drinking water outlets in school buildings;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Windows;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>Roofs; and</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>Any additional severe issue in the school that required the school to be closed.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The amount of the grant is not required to cover the full cost of the project.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="k"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (4) of this subsection and subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, the Interagency Commission on School Construction shall establish application procedures for school systems to request funds under this section.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Interagency Commission on School Construction shall establish award procedures to make awards distributed from the Fund not more than 45 days after receiving an application.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>The Interagency Commission on School Construction, in consultation with the Department of the Environment, shall establish application procedures for school systems to request funds under this section to assist with the costs of implementing remedial measures to address the presence of lead in drinking water outlets in school buildings.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The application procedures established under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph shall include procedures for prioritizing applications for plumbing projects, with priority first given to applications requesting funds for water fountains or bubblers, and then to applications requesting funds for:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Faucets or taps that are used or potentially used for drinking or food preparation;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Ice makers; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Hot drink machines.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>For Baltimore City, the school system shall establish a procedure to identify schools and submit eligible projects for awards by the Interagency Commission on School Construction for funding provided under subsection (j)(1)(ii) and (iii) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Interagency Commission on School Construction shall award grants to schools with eligible projects submitted in accordance with subparagraph (i) of this paragraph.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-324" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Aid for School Construction"> <text>** IN EFFECT UNTIL JUNE 30, 2026 PER CHAPTER 679 OF 2023 **</text> <level label="a"> <text>Repealed.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Repealed.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>Repealed.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Repealed.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>Repealed.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>In fiscal year 2006 and in each fiscal year thereafter, the State shall distribute grants from an appropriation in the State budget or general obligation bonds to county boards under the Aging Schools Program administered by the Interagency Commission on School Construction in amounts equal to the funding level calculated under paragraph (2) of this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In fiscal year 2013 and in each fiscal year thereafter, the funding level for a county is the following amounts for the following counties:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Allegany County ……………………………………....$97,791;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Anne Arundel County …………………………........$506,038;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Baltimore City.................................................... $1,387,924;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Baltimore County.................................................. $874,227;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Calvert County........................................................ $38,292;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>Caroline County .......................................................$50,074;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>Carroll County ...................................................... $137,261;</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>Cecil County............................................................ $96,024;</text> </level> <level label="ix"> <text>Charles County ....................................................... $50,074;</text> </level> <level label="x"> <text>Dorchester County .................................................. $38,292;</text> </level> <level label="xi"> <text>Frederick County .................................................. $182,622;</text> </level> <level label="xii"> <text>Garrett County........................................................ $38,292;</text> </level> <level label="xiii"> <text>Harford County .................................................... $217,379;</text> </level> <level label="xiv"> <text>Howard County ...................................................... $87,776;</text> </level> <level label="xv"> <text>Kent County ........................................................... $38,292;</text> </level> <level label="xvi"> <text>Montgomery County ............................................ $602,651;</text> </level> <level label="xvii"> <text>Prince George’s County...................................... $1,209,426;</text> </level> <level label="xviii"> <text>Queen Anne’s County ............................................. $50,074;</text> </level> <level label="xix"> <text>St. Mary’s County ................................................... $50,074;</text> </level> <level label="xx"> <text>Somerset County..................................................... $38,292;</text> </level> <level label="xxi"> <text>Talbot County.......................................................... $38,292;</text> </level> <level label="xxii"> <text>Washington County ...............................................$134,904;</text> </level> <level label="xxiii"> <text>Wicomico County........................................... $106,627; and</text> </level> <level label="xxiv"> <text>Worcester County.................................................... $38,292.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-325" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Aid for School Construction"> <level label="a"> <text>A county board, during the design development phase for the construction or major renovation of a public school building, shall complete an evaluation of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The cost and efficiency, based on a 50–year period, of using available alternative energy systems, including geothermal, solar, wind, and energy storage compared to a traditional energy system;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An energy consumption and systems replacement, based on a 50–year period, of each major piece of equipment in any of the following systems serving the public school building:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The cooling system;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The heating system;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The hot water system;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>The lighting system;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>The ventilation system; or</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>Any other major system that uses energy; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The impact of innovative building design and materials on energy consumption, including white roofs and green roofs.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If the county board determines that no alternative energy systems are appropriate for a construction or major renovation project, the county board shall submit a report to the Interagency Commission that explains why the alternative energy systems were not appropriate.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>On or before February 28 each year, as provided in § 5–319 of this subtitle, the Interagency Commission shall submit a report to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, on the number of public school construction and major renovation projects in each jurisdiction that used solar technologies or alternative energy systems in the immediately preceding calendar year.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-326" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Aid for School Construction"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “Fund” means the Nancy K. Kopp Public School Facilities Priority Fund.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>There is a Nancy K. Kopp Public School Facilities Priority Fund.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, beginning in fiscal year 2028, the purpose of the Fund is to provide State funds to address the facility needs of the highest priority schools in the State as identified by the statewide facilities assessment completed by the Interagency Commission on School Construction under § 5–310(e) of this subtitle, with highest priority given to schools with a severe facility issue that required the school to be closed in the current school year or the previous school year.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In fiscal year 2027, or if the statewide facilities assessment is not completed, the purpose of the Fund is to provide State funds to address the severity of issues in a school, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Air conditioning;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Heating;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Indoor air quality;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Mold remediation;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Temperature regulation;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>Plumbing, including the presence of lead in drinking water outlets in school buildings;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>Windows; and</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>Any additional severe issues in the school that require the school to be closed.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Interagency Commission on School Construction shall administer the Fund.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to § 7–302 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The State Treasurer shall hold the Fund separately, and the Comptroller shall account for the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The Fund consists of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Money appropriated in the State budget to the Fund;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any interest earnings of the Fund; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Any other money from any other source accepted for the benefit of the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The Fund may be used only for the purpose established under subsection (c) of this section.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>The State Treasurer shall invest the money of the Fund in the same manner as other State money may be invested.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any interest earnings of the Fund shall be credited to the Fund.</text> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>In fiscal year 2027 and each fiscal year thereafter, the Governor shall appropriate in the annual State operating or capital budget bill at least $70,000,000 to the Fund.</text> </level> <level label="j"> <text>Expenditures from the Fund may be made only in accordance with the State budget.</text> </level> <level label="k"> <text>Money expended from the Fund is supplemental to and is not intended to take the place of funding that otherwise would be appropriated in the annual State operating or capital budget bill to primary and secondary schools under this article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-327" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Aid for School Construction"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Baseline total cost of ownership” means the typical total cost of ownership of a new school building or a school facility renewal, as calculated by the Interagency Commission.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Estimated total cost of ownership” means the total cost of ownership of a new school building or a school facility renewal and the concomitant analysis as estimated by a local education agency before the construction of a new school building or a school facility renewal begins.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>“Projected actual total cost of ownership as constructed” means the total cost of ownership of a new school building or a school facility renewal and the concomitant analysis as calculated by a local education agency after the construction of the new school building or the school facility renewal is complete.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>“Projected actual total cost of ownership as constructed” includes the sum of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The actual costs of construction and operation of the new school building or the school facility renewal as of the date of the calculation; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An estimation of future costs.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>“School facility renewal” means a capital improvement project for an existing school that, on completion:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Will reduce the school’s facility condition index, as defined in § 5–310 of this subtitle, to 0.15 or lower; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Results in a like–new operational condition for the school.</text> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <text>“State share percentage” means the percentage of eligible costs, as defined in regulations adopted in accordance with § 5–303 of this subtitle, for the construction of a new school building or a school facility renewal paid for by the State.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>If a project for the construction of a new school building or a school facility renewal has an estimated total cost of ownership that is at least 15% less than the baseline total cost of ownership, the county shall receive a 5 percentage point increase in the State share percentage for that project.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, if a project has a projected actual total cost of ownership as constructed that is not at least 15% less than the baseline total cost of ownership, the county that received a 5 percentage point increase in the State share percentage for that project shall repay that amount to the Interagency Commission.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Interagency Commission shall establish a process for a county to repay the Interagency Commission the amount of the 5% increase in the State share percentage of a project that met the requirements under subsection (b) of this section, if approximately 12 to 17 months after the date on which construction is complete and the local education agency begins using the building or renewal for its intended purpose, the projected actual total cost of ownership as constructed is not at least 15% less than the baseline total cost of ownership.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Interagency Commission, in coordination with the Department and the Department of General Services, shall develop life cycle cost analysis standards.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Interagency Commission shall adopt regulations to carry out this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-328" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Aid for School Construction"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section, “waste disposal infrastructure” means a physical waste disposal line located where food is distributed that allows a student to efficiently and properly dispose of waste at the end of a meal.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Waste disposal infrastructure” includes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>A place for the disposal of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Trash;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Recyclables; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Food scraps; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>A sink for liquid waste.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Interagency Commission shall adopt regulations that require a county board to include waste disposal infrastructure in the design documents submitted to the Interagency Commission for the construction of a new school building utilizing State funding.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-329" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Aid for School Construction"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“High–density county” means one of the following jurisdictions:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Anne Arundel County;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Baltimore City;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Baltimore County;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Howard County;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Montgomery County; or</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>Prince George’s County.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Low–density county” means any county not listed in paragraph (2) of this subsection.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>A county board in a high–density county seeking State funds for the construction of a new school, or the renovation of or an addition to an existing school that would increase the capacity of the school by more than 100 students, shall submit a pedestrian safety plan to the Interagency Commission.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A county board in a low–density county shall submit a pedestrian safety plan to the Interagency Commission if the county board is seeking State funds for the construction of a new school, or the renovation of or an addition to an existing school, in a city with more than 10,000 residents and the construction or renovation would increase the capacity of the school by more than 100 students.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Interagency Commission shall approve a pedestrian safety plan if the pedestrian safety plan complies with subsection (c) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>A pedestrian safety plan shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Be developed in collaboration with:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The county department of transportation or equivalent agency of the jurisdiction listed under subsection (a) of this section whose county board is submitting the plan; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The State Highway Administration;</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Be limited to the area surrounding the school for which the county board will not provide transportation to students;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Identify existing and potential safe routes for students to walk or bike to the school;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Evaluate the infrastructure, including sidewalk infrastructure, along existing and potential pedestrian or cyclist routes to the school to determine whether increased capacity is necessary;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Analyze existing and potential school zones, including the need for expanding school zones on State and county roads; and</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>Include documentation of public participation and input related to the pedestrian safety plan, including minutes from a public hearing and written comments.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A county board, not the Interagency Commission, shall make all determinations about the contents of a pedestrian safety plan.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Interagency Commission may adopt regulations to carry out this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-330" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Aid for School Construction"> <level label="a"> <text>This section applies only in Howard County.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>If the capital budget approved by the Howard County Board of Education has differences from the Howard County Superintendent of Schools’ proposed capital budget, the Howard County Board of Education shall publish a report on the Howard County public school system’s website within 30 days that includes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The differences between the Howard County Superintendent’s proposed capital budget and the capital budget approved by the Howard County Board of Education; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The detailed rationale for each difference.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Howard County Board of Education shall submit the report required under paragraph (1) of this subsection to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>If the Howard County Superintendent of Schools’ proposed capital improvement program has differences from the capital improvement program approved by the Howard County Board of Education in the immediately preceding year, the Howard County Superintendent shall publish a report on the Howard County public school system’s website within 30 days that includes:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The differences between the capital improvement plan approved by the Howard County Board of Education in the immediately preceding year and the Howard County Superintendent’s proposed capital improvement program; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The detailed rationale for each difference.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Howard County Superintendent of Schools shall submit the report required under paragraph (1) of this subsection to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-331" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="3" subtitle_name="State Aid for School Construction"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “Program” means the Nonpublic Special Education School Renovation Program.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>There is a Nonpublic Special Education School Renovation Program.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The purpose of the Program is to provide grants to nonpublic special education schools for:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Renovations and improvements to classrooms and school facilities;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Upgrades to residential cottages on school grounds that will improve student treatment and safety;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Health, safety, and accessibility improvements;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Infrastructure modernization and technology upgrades; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>New construction necessary to comply with standards set by the Department.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Program shall be implemented and administered by the Interagency Commission.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>An eligible nonpublic special education school may apply to the Interagency Commission to receive a grant under the Program.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A nonpublic special education school is eligible for the Program if the school:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Provides:</text> <level label="1"> <text>High school credit towards the high school graduation requirements approved by the Department; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A curriculum and educational program for elementary or middle school students that is approved by the Department; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Provides services for students placed in nonpublic educational programs under § 8–406 of this article.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Interagency Commission may prioritize applications for:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Projects addressing student health or safety concerns;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Projects necessary to comply with standards set by the Department; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Nonpublic special education schools with a high percentage of students who are residents of the State.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>It is the intent of the General Assembly that the Governor include in the annual capital budget bill an appropriation of at least $5,000,000 to the Program for each fiscal year.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The Interagency Commission shall adopt regulations necessary to implement this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-401" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Accountability and Implementation Board"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>“Board” means the Accountability and Implementation Board.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>“Blueprint for Maryland’s Future” means the plan recommended by the Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education and enacted by Chapter 361 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2018, Chapter 771 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2019, and Chapter 36 of the Acts of the General Assembly of 2021.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“Blueprint for Maryland’s Future” includes, unless the context provides otherwise, the recommendations made by the Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>“Commission” means the Commission on Innovation and Excellence in Education.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <text>“Comprehensive Implementation Plan” means the plan adopted by the Board under § 5–404 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <text>“Nominating Committee” means the Accountability and Implementation Board Nominating Committee.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-402" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Accountability and Implementation Board"> <level label="a"> <text>Beginning on July 1, 2020, and continuing until June 30, 2032, there is an Accountability and Implementation Board.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board is an independent unit of State government.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>The purpose of the Board is to hold State and local governments, including county boards, accountable for implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and evaluating the outcomes achieved against the goals of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and the Commission during the implementation period.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Board shall strive to provide equal access to a high–quality education with equitable outcomes for each Maryland student regardless of the student’s race, ethnicity, gender, address, disability status, socioeconomic status, or the language spoken in the student’s home.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>To achieve its purpose, the Board shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Develop a Comprehensive Implementation Plan for the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future that all units of State and local government responsible for implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future will follow;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Hold State and local governments accountable for implementing the Comprehensive Implementation Plan;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Monitor implementation of the Comprehensive Implementation Plan during the implementation period; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Evaluate the outcomes achieved during implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>The Board is composed of seven members appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, chosen from a slate prepared by the Nominating Committee established under § 5–403 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>When appointing members of the Board, the Governor shall select from the slate of nominees nominated in accordance with § 5–403(c) of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The Governor shall appoint members to the Board within 30 days after the date on which the Governor receives the slate of nominees nominated in accordance with § 5–403(c) of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Board shall consist of individuals who collectively:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Reflect, to the extent practicable, the geographic, racial, ethnic, cultural, and gender diversity of the State; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Have a high level of knowledge and expertise in:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Early education through secondary education policy;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Postsecondary education policy;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Teaching in public schools;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Strategies used by top–performing state and national education systems in the world;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Leading and implementing systemic change in complex organizations; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Financial auditing and accounting.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Delegates jointly shall appoint a chair of the Board from among the Board’s members.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A member of the Board:</text> <level label="i"> <text>May not receive compensation as a member of the Board; but</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Is entitled to reimbursement for expenses under the Standard State Travel Regulations for duties performed under this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <level label="i"> <text>The term of a member is 6 years.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The terms of the members are staggered as follows:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The terms of three initial members shall terminate on July 1, 2024;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The terms of two initial members shall terminate on July 1, 2025; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The terms of two initial members shall terminate on July 1, 2026.</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>A member may be renominated by the Nominating Committee.</text> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <text>A majority of Board members constitutes a quorum.</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Action by the Board requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the appointed members.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board shall appoint an executive director and hire staff sufficient to carry out its powers and duties under this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Board may retain any necessary accountants, financial advisers, or other consultants.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>For fiscal year 2021, the Governor shall include an appropriation of at least $1,500,000 in the annual budget bill for the establishment of the Board.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For fiscal years 2022 through 2032, the Governor shall include in the annual budget bill an appropriation of at least $1,800,000 for the Board, which includes funds to support 15 professional staff.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <level label="1"> <text>For each of fiscal years 2022 through 2024, the Governor shall include an appropriation of at least $3,000,000 in the annual budget bill for the Board to be used in accordance with this subparagraph.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Board shall use the funds provided under this subparagraph to provide technical assistance to county boards to develop and implement the plan required under § 5–404 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Board may allocate a portion of the funds provided under this subparagraph to the CTE Committee to provide technical assistance to county boards to meet the requirements under § 21–207 of this article.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The Board may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Adopt regulations to carry out the provisions of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Adopt bylaws for the conduct of its business;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Maintain offices at a place the Board designates in the State;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Accept loans, grants, or assistance of any kind from any entity of federal, State, or local government, an institution of higher education, or a private source;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Enter into contracts or other legal instruments, including, as necessary, contracts with independent experts to fulfill any of its duties under this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Sue or be sued; and</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Subpoena data needed to complete its functions and duties under this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in this subsection, the Board is exempt from:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Title 10 and Division II of the State Finance and Procurement Article; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The provisions of Division I of the State Personnel and Pensions Article that govern the State Personnel Management System.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Board is subject to the Public Information Act.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>The Board is subject to the Open Meetings Act.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <level label="1"> <text>Each open Board meeting shall be made available to the public through live video streaming.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Board shall make publicly available on the Internet a complete, unedited archived video recording of each open meeting for a minimum of 5 years after the date of the meeting.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Board and its officers and employees are subject to the Maryland Public Ethics Law.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The Board and its employees are subject to Title 12, Subtitle 4 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board is not intended to usurp or abrogate:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The operational authority of the Department, the Governor’s Workforce Development Board, the Maryland Higher Education Commission, the Department of Commerce, or the Maryland Department of Labor; or</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The day–to–day decision making of county boards, local superintendents, institutions of higher education, or other stakeholders with a role to play in the implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Board may not usurp or abrogate the lawful collective bargaining process due educators and others in the State.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>The Board shall have plenary authority over all matters within its jurisdiction under this subtitle, including the intended outcomes of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>In the event of a conflict between a decision or policy of the Board and the decision or policy of another entity on a matter within the Board’s jurisdiction, the Board’s decision or policy shall control.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-403" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Accountability and Implementation Board"> <level label="a"> <text>There is an Accountability and Implementation Board Nominating Committee.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Nominating Committee is composed of six members.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>The Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Delegates each shall appoint two members to the Nominating Committee.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If two of the three individuals required to appoint members to the Nominating Committee under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph have each appointed two members, the remaining individual shall appoint two members to the Nominating Committee within 30 days after the date on which the most recent appointment of a member to the Nominating Committee was made.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>If the third individual required to appoint members to the Nominating Committee does not appoint the remaining two members to the Nominating Committee within the time period required under subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, subsection (d) of this section no longer applies.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The term of a member is 5 years.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Nominating Committee shall consist of individuals who:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Collectively reflect, to the extent practicable, the geographic, racial, ethnic, cultural, and gender diversity of the State; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Have collective knowledge of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Education policy for early childhood education through postsecondary education;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Education strategies used by top–performing state and national systems in the world;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Systemic changes in complex organizations; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Financial auditing and accounting.</text> </level> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>On initial establishment and when there is a vacancy on the Board, the Nominating Committee shall nominate a slate of nominees to fill the vacancy.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>For the initial establishment of the Board, the slate of nominees shall contain at least nine individuals to meet the Board qualifications listed in § 5–402(d) of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>For a vacancy, the slate of nominees shall contain at least two individuals for each vacant position on the Board.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Except as provided in subsection (b)(2)(iii) of this section, nominations for the Board made by the Nominating Committee shall be decided by a majority vote, provided that at least one vote cast in the majority is a vote cast by each of a member appointed by the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-404" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Accountability and Implementation Board"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board shall develop a Comprehensive Implementation Plan to implement the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, considering any input provided by interested stakeholders in the State.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Comprehensive Implementation Plan shall include a timeline for implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future with key milestones to be achieved by each State or local government unit required to implement an element of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future for each year of the implementation period.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Comprehensive Implementation Plan shall include the intended outcomes that the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future will achieve.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <level label="i"> <text>The Comprehensive Implementation Plan shall be adopted by the Board no later than December 1, 2022.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Any changes to the Comprehensive Implementation Plan shall be adopted by the Board no later than August 1 of each year.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board shall adopt guidelines for entities required to submit and carry out implementation plans under this section that include establishing a maximum page length, including appendices, for implementation plans.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>State and local government units responsible for implementing an element of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future shall develop implementation plans consistent with the Comprehensive Implementation Plan that describe the goals, objectives, and strategies that will be used to improve student achievement and meet the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future recommendations for each segment of the student population.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>On or before September 1, 2022, the Department shall develop criteria to be used to recommend approval or disapproval of local school system implementation plans and release of funds under this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The criteria shall be submitted for approval to the Board.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in subsubparagraph 2 of this subparagraph, each unit responsible for developing an implementation plan under this section shall submit the plan to the Board for approval on or before March 15, 2023.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Juvenile Services Education Program Superintendent shall submit the plan to the Board for approval on or before June 15, 2023.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Each local school system shall submit a copy of its plan to the Department for review and a recommendation of approval or disapproval.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Governmental units shall submit implementation plans on elements of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future under this subsection, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Plans from each local school system to implement each element of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, including how to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Adapt curriculum, instruction, and the organization of the school day to enable more students to achieve college and career readiness by the end of 10th grade, to provide students with needed services including community–partnered behavioral health services if appropriate, and to identify students who are falling behind and develop a plan to get them back on track;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Close student achievement gaps listed under § 5–408(a)(2)(i) of this subtitle within the local school system;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Avoid the disproportionate placement of students with particular racial, ethnic, linguistic, economic, or disability status characteristics with novice teachers or teachers providing instruction in fields in which they lack expertise; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Use additional funds for teacher collaborative time in accordance with Title 6, Subtitle 10 of this article prioritized based on availability of a sufficient number of high–quality teachers;</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The joint plan of the Department and the Maryland Higher Education Commission for teacher preparation and training that meets the requirements under Title 6 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>A plan from the Department for the expansion and coordination of Judy Centers under § 5–230 of this title and a plan for the expansion of community–based family support centers under Title 9.5, Subtitle 10 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>The Department’s plan for selection, assembly, and deployment of expert review teams under § 5–411 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>The Department’s plan for implementing the teacher career ladder and training Maryland teachers, school leaders, and administrators under Title 6, Subtitle 10 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>The Career and Technical Education Committee plan for developing rigorous CTE pathways under § 21–207 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="vii"> <text>Plans from each local school system on proposed memoranda of understanding for prekindergarten in accordance with § 7–1A–05 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="viii"> <text>A plan from the Juvenile Services Education Program Superintendent on the proposed education of juveniles under Title 9, Subtitle 6 of the Human Services Article; and</text> </level> <level label="ix"> <text>Any other implementation plans the Board determines are necessary.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>An implementation plan submitted to the Board for approval under this section shall be:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Consistent with the developed guidelines and, if applicable, the approved criteria under subsection (b) of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Concise and focused on the measures taken and the measures to be taken to implement and achieve the Blueprint’s goals.</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A responsible government unit shall amend the implementation plan until it is approved by the Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Board shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Review and approve implementation plans submitted under subsection (c) of this section;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Monitor the implementation of approved plans and work in partnership with the relevant agencies to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Disseminate information on best practices, programs, and resources;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Provide technical assistance and training;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Resolve implementation issues as they arise; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Promote interagency efforts to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Achieve the purposes of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Reduce the effects of societal and economic isolation on student achievement and opportunity by promoting socioeconomic diversity in communities and schools;</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Receive periodic updates, in accordance with the Board’s guidelines, on progress responsible entities are making toward reaching the implementation plan goals; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Request any information the Board determines is necessary to carry out its obligations from an entity responsible for carrying out the implementation plans under this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>A governmental unit responsible for developing and carrying out an implementation plan shall provide:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Periodic updates, when requested by the Board, on its progress toward meeting the implementation plan goals; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Any information the Board requests.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The Board shall maintain a public website on which is published:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The Comprehensive Implementation Plan;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Department’s criteria, developed under subsection (b)(3) of this section;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Proposed implementation plans, submitted under subsection (c) of this section; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Implementation plans approved by the Board under subsection (d) of this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <text>A unit of State government required to implement an element of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future shall, before adopting regulations relating to the Blueprint, consult with the Board.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>For each fiscal year, the governing body of a county and the local school system jointly shall appoint a single implementation coordinator responsible for the implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future by all government units operating in the county.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>For each fiscal year, each county board shall provide $150,000 for the salary and benefits of the implementation coordinator appointed in accordance with paragraph (1) of this subsection.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Funding for the salary and benefits of the implementation coordinator provided by the county board in accordance with paragraph (2) of this subsection shall be paid by the State and the county in the same proportion as the foundation program under § 5–213 of this title.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-405" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Accountability and Implementation Board"> <level label="a"> <text>Subject to the judgment of the Board and in accordance with this section, each fiscal year a portion of the increase in the State share of major education aid, as defined in § 5–201 of this title, over the amount provided in the prior fiscal year shall be withheld from public schools and local school systems.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>Except as otherwise provided in this section, beginning in fiscal year 2023, 25% of the increase in the State share of major education aid over the amount provided in the prior fiscal year shall be automatically withheld from a local school system for the next fiscal year.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>For fiscal year 2023, the Board shall release funds withheld under this section if the Board finds that a local school system has met the minimum guidelines for the submission of the initial implementation plan under § 5–404 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Beginning in fiscal year 2024 and ending in fiscal year 2025, the Board shall release funds withheld under this section each year if the Board finds that a local school system or public school:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Has developed an initial implementation plan under § 5–404 of this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Has received approval for its initial implementation plan and for any subsequent modifications.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Beginning in fiscal year 2026, the Board shall consider releasing funds withheld under this section to a public school or local school system if:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The Board receives a recommendation to release funds from:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The Department;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Career and Technical Education Committee established under § 21–209 of this article; or</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>An Expert Review Team established under § 5–411 of this subtitle; or</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Board determines that a public school or local school system has made sufficient progress on an implementation plan or taken appropriate steps to improve student performance.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The Board may withhold more than 25% of the increase in the State share of major education aid over the amount provided in the current fiscal year from a public school or local school system, if, in the judgment of the Board:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A local school system has not made satisfactory efforts to develop or revise the implementation plan required to be approved by the Board under § 5–404 of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A public school or local school system has not made sufficient progress on its implementation plan; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A public school or local school system has not taken appropriate steps to improve student performance.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>In determining whether to release or withhold additional funds under this section, the Board shall consider whether a public school or local school system has been responsive to the recommendations of the Department, the Career and Technical Education Committee, an Expert Review Team, and the Board’s staff.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The Board shall notify the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Delegates of a decision not to release funds or to withhold additional funds.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>If the Board finds that funding should not be released under subsection (c) or subsection (d) of this section, the Board shall, on or before December 1, issue an initial warning to the public school principal or county superintendent that funds may not be released in the next fiscal year.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>A warning issued under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall inform the local principal or county superintendent of:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The findings by the Board and the reasoning for the findings; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Any steps that may be undertaken to remedy the finding.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>On or before February 1, the Board shall make a final determination on whether to release funds under this section for the next fiscal year.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>If a public school or local school system makes progress in some areas but not in others, the Board may determine that a portion of the funds may be released while a portion may be withheld.</text> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>The Board shall notify the State Superintendent and the Comptroller for purposes of § 5–205 of this title by June 1 of each year of the Board’s final decision to release, not release, or withhold additional funds under this section in the next fiscal year.</text> </level> <level label="j"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board may determine it is necessary to release or withhold funds for the current fiscal year.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Board shall notify the State Superintendent and the Comptroller as soon as practicable for purposes of § 5–205 of this title if it decides to release or withhold additional funds during the current fiscal year.</text> </level> </level> <level label="k"> <text>The Board shall develop an appeals process through which a public school or local school system may contest the withholding of funds under this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-406" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Accountability and Implementation Board"> <level label="a"> <text>The Board shall review the use of funds provided under Subtitle 2 of this title by the State and local government agencies responsible for implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>On or before January 1 each year in 2022 through 2032, the Department shall submit to the Board information on the use of school–level expenditures in the current fiscal year to aid the Board in fulfilling its responsibilities under this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, each local school system shall report to the Department, in a manner determined by the Department, on school–level spending to aid the Department in fulfilling its obligations under this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Each local school system that includes public charter schools shall account in the report required under this subsection for the distribution of school–level funding to public charter schools to demonstrate compliance with § 5–234 of this title.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Board shall monitor the expenditures of local school systems to ensure that minimum school–level funding requirements under § 5–234 of this title are met.</text> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The Board shall monitor the expenditures of funding provided to local school systems under § 5–223 of this title to ensure that public schools are providing the necessary services.</text> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board shall monitor how additional special education funding provided under § 5–225 of this title is being used, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The aggregate number of children in special education services by school; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The special education services that have been provided through funding under § 5–225 of this title.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If a local school system is not spending funding allocated under § 5–225 of this title in addition to special education spending levels provided by State and local funds on June 30, 2020, the local school system shall provide a written response to the Board explaining why additional spending on special education is not necessary.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>The Board shall develop an appeals process through which local school systems may request greater flexibility in meeting this requirement for reasons including a significant shift in total enrollment or at–promise enrollment between schools from the prior school year to the current school year.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-407" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Accountability and Implementation Board"> <level label="a"> <text>Beginning in fiscal year 2022, the Board may determine to withhold appropriated funds from the Department, the Maryland Higher Education Commission, the Career and Technical Education Committee, or any other entity of State or local government responsible for developing an implementation plan under § 5–404 of this subtitle if the entity:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Has not developed an initial implementation plan, or has not had its implementation plan approved; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Has not implemented its implementation plan appropriately.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board shall notify the Comptroller, the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Delegates regarding the intent to withhold appropriated funds under this section.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>After receiving notification from the Board under subsection (b) of this section, the Comptroller shall withhold the amount of funding that the Board determines is necessary to be withheld.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-408" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Accountability and Implementation Board"> <level label="a"> <text>In order to meet its obligation to track whether the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is progressing according to plan, the Board shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Develop guidelines for the submission of reports by:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The Department;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Local school systems; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Public schools;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Using reports submitted in accordance with item (1) of this subsection and the Board’s ongoing monitoring as a guide, gather and analyze disaggregated data, in accordance with subsection (c) of this section, to measure progress made on the implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, by examining:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The effects on student performance over time, with specific emphasis on closing achievement gaps between student groups of different:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Race;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Ethnicity;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Disability status;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Household income;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Linguistic status; and</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Any other student group characteristics that feature achievement gaps as determined by the Board; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Student outcomes, such as:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Absenteeism;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Disciplinary action;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Enrichment opportunities; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Meaningful family involvement;</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Monitor and review the performance of each teacher preparation program at an institution of higher education and alternative teacher preparation program;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Monitor changes in the concentration of students eligible for free and reduced price meals within public schools and local school systems;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Examine the school–level diversity of public school staff and student bodies;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Monitor and review the placement and concentration of students in particular racial, ethnic, linguistic, economic, and disability status groups assigned to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Novice teachers;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Teachers providing instruction in fields in which they lack expertise;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Substitute teachers who teach the same class for more than 1 week; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Effective teachers, including teachers at levels three and four of the career ladder established under Title 6, Subtitle 10 of this article;</text> </level> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Monitor and review the progress of community schools receiving grants under § 5–223 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>Monitor public schools and local school systems to ensure that sufficient numbers of teachers are participating in the career ladder and achieving National Board Certification, as provided in Title 6, Subtitle 10 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>Examine the racial, ethnic, disability–status, and income makeup of full–day prekindergarten students, disaggregated by providers, and monitor whether the mix of public and private prekindergarten providers is effectively meeting the needs of families; and</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>Approve the plans for deployment of Expert Review Teams submitted by the Department and the Career and Technical Education Committee under §§ 5–411 and 5–412 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>In gathering and analyzing data to complete its duties under this subtitle, the Board may collect data from any relevant entities.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If additional data is needed for the Board to complete its duties, the Board may request that other appropriate government agencies aid in the collection of data.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Unless otherwise prohibited by law, a government agency shall provide the Board with any requested data.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Unless otherwise prohibited by law, a government agency whose aid the Board has requested under this subsection shall regularly collect the requested data and provide it to the Board.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Board shall work with the Maryland Longitudinal Data System Center to collect and analyze data necessary to carry out the Board’s responsibilities under this subtitle and may direct the Center to provide:</text> <level label="1"> <text>A researcher designated by the Board access to the data in the Maryland Longitudinal Data System in accordance with the procedures for staff authorization and data access established by the Maryland Longitudinal Data System governing board;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Aggregate data tables; or</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Research or evaluation.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>Any student–level information reported to or by the Board shall be disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender, family income level, linguistic status, and disability status.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-409" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Accountability and Implementation Board"> <level label="a"> <text>In addition to any other duties assigned or duties granted to the Board under this subtitle, the Board has the power to perform the duties described in this section.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Board shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Oversee the work of the Career and Technical Education Committee established under § 21–209 of this article;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Coordinate through the Department the State’s participation in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s Program for International Student Assessment survey program;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>In accordance with § 5–408(c) of this subtitle, report on or before November 1 each year for calendar years 2021 through 2031 to the Governor, the public, and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly, on:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Progress made on the implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Recommended legislative changes, including any changes necessary to ensure that the implementations have adequate resources and measurements;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The degree to which State and local agencies, as applicable, are carrying out their assigned roles in implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Whether the funds provided by the State and local governments are consistent with the Board’s estimate of what is necessary to fully implement the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future;</text> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Provide training to Expert Review Teams established under § 5–411 of this subtitle; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Provide outreach and educational materials to parents, students, and members of the public on the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The Board may:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Recommend that the Department and the Maryland Higher Education Commission review the accreditation of a program reviewed under § 5–408(a)(3) of this subtitle that was found to be ineffective;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Determine that the career ladder system under Title 6, Subtitle 10 of this article has been well established throughout the State for the purposes of implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Make grants to innovative programs developed by public schools, institutions of postsecondary education, nonprofit organizations, and other persons that help further the Board’s purpose; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Perform any other duties necessary to carry out the powers granted under this subtitle.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-410" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Accountability and Implementation Board"> <level label="a"> <text>In addition to its own assessments and tracking of progress, required under § 5–406 of this subtitle, the Board shall contract with a public or private entity to conduct an independent evaluation of the State’s progress in implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and achieving the expected outcomes during the implementation period.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The independent evaluation shall include an assessment of:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The use of additional funding to meet the goals of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Progress toward the goals of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and whether the goals have been achieved; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Any recommendations to alter the goals or strategies employed to reach the goals, including new uses for existing funds or additional funding.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>An entity with which the Board contracts for an independent evaluation shall report its results to the Board on or before:</text> <level label="i"> <text>December 1, 2026; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>October 1, 2030.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Board shall contract for each independent evaluation as soon as practicable.</text> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>On or before January 15, 2027, the Board shall, using the first independent evaluation and its own judgment, report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on whether the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is being implemented as intended and achieving the expected outcomes.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The Board’s report shall include an assessment of the State’s progress towards:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Increasing the number of teachers achieving National Board Certification;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Providing full–day prekindergarten programs for 3– and 4–year–olds in accordance with Title 7, Subtitle 1A of this article;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Improving behavioral health services in accordance with § 7–447 of this article; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Ensuring that students enrolled in public schools meet college and career standards in accordance with § 7–205.1 of this article.</text> </level> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The Board’s report shall include any legislative or structural corrections necessary to fully implement the Blueprint.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>On or before December 1, 2030, the Board shall report on the results of the final independent evaluation to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Board’s reports under this subsection shall include:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Practices being used to close achievement gaps between students of different groups listed in § 5–408(a)(2)(i) of this subtitle;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Progress made in closing the achievement gaps listed under item (i) of this paragraph; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Assessments of student outcomes listed under § 5–408(a)(2)(ii) of this subtitle, disaggregated by race, income, ethnicity, and gender.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <level label="1"> <text>The Board shall determine:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Whether the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is working as intended;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>What steps are necessary to continue providing a globally competitive education to the children of the State;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>If any changes to the structure, functioning, and authority of State and local agencies responsible for education are necessary; and</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>Whether the Board should continue to monitor implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future after June 30, 2032.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>In making its determination, the Board shall examine the manner in which State and local government entities responsible for implementing the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future have contributed to educating, training, providing learning opportunities for, and developing the careers of students and young people in the State.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Board shall identify ways to foster partnerships between local school systems, public schools, and institutions of higher education, and develop collaborative relationships among the entities examined under paragraph (2) of this subsection to create a world–class 21st–century education system in the State.</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The Board shall report its findings under this subsection in the report required under subsection (d)(2) of this section.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-411" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Accountability and Implementation Board"> <level label="a"> <text>In this section, “Program” means the Expert Review Team Program.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The Department shall establish, administer, and supervise an Expert Review Team Program.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The purpose of the Program is for teams of expert educators to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Conduct interviews, observe classes, and use other data to analyze the extent to which the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is being implemented; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Collaborate with school–based faculty and staff and local school system staff to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Determine reasons why student progress is insufficient; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Develop recommendations, measures, and strategies to address the issues identified by the Expert Review Team.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <level label="1"> <text>The Department shall select highly regarded Expert Review Team members for the Program, who reflect, to the extent practicable, the geographic, racial, ethnic, linguistic, and gender diversity of the population of public school students, from the following groups:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Teachers who are represented by teachers’ organizations that, for purposes of collective bargaining, represent a majority of teachers in the State or in a local school system;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>School leaders; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Other individuals who have expertise directly relevant to the purpose and duties of the Program.</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>After the career ladder under Title 6, Subtitle 10 of this article is well established throughout the State, the Department shall select Expert Review Team members from expert teachers and principals who are in senior positions on the career ladder.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>To the extent practicable, a teacher who visits an elementary, middle, or high school as a member of an Expert Review Team shall have experience working in or knowledge of the type of school being visited.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>Each member of an Expert Review Team shall be thoroughly trained by the Board on the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and its rationale, including detailed information on the way similar systems work in top–performing school systems in the world.</text> </level> <level label="f"> <level label="1"> <text>During a school visit, an Expert Review Team shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Conduct comprehensive in–school investigations of the causes of poor student performance; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Make recommendations to the following entities on the measures needed to improve the performance of low–performing schools and correct identified problems:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Principal and county superintendent;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>School faculty;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>County boards of education; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>The community.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An Expert Review Team may, in the course of its work under paragraph (1) of this subsection:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Perform evaluations of behavioral health services provided in a school; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If the Team determines that poor student performance is due, in part, to missing or inadequate behavioral health services, make recommendations to the appropriate entities to correct the identified problems.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <text>After a school visit, an Expert Review Team shall submit a report to the Department within the time period, in the manner, and including the information required by the Department.</text> </level> </level> <level label="g"> <level label="1"> <text>Beginning on or before July 1, 2021, and each July 1 through 2030, the Department shall develop and submit to the Board for approval a plan to deploy the Expert Review Teams in the following school year.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <level label="i"> <text>Beginning on July 1, 2023, the Department shall send Expert Review Teams to at least 10% of public schools in at least three different local school systems each year.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>An Expert Review Team shall be sent to every residential facility in which juveniles are educated in accordance with Title 9, Subtitle 6 of the Human Services Article by the end of the 2025–2026 school year.</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>An Expert Review Team shall be sent at least once to every public school in the State by the end of the 2030–2031 school year.</text> </level> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>The Department shall, in accordance with an approved deployment plan and subject to the provisions of this subsection, send an Expert Review Team to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Each school determined to be one of the lowest performing schools in the State once each year;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Schools determined to be lower performing schools in the State on a regular schedule but not every year;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Schools determined to be the highest performing in the State; and</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>All other schools at intervals determined by a randomized selection process.</text> </level> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The lowest and highest performing schools shall be determined by:</text> <level label="1"> <level label="A"> <text>The overall performance on State assessments; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="B"> <text>The performance of subgroups of students on State assessments; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Based on data produced by the data monitoring system established under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Beginning on July 1, 2025, a school that has not been selected for review by an Expert Review Team may submit a request to the Department for a review.</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>The Board may request that the Department send an Expert Review Team to a particular school.</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Beginning in the 2022–2023 school year, the Department shall send an Expert Review Team to a school or a group of schools in the same immediate area in which students continue to demonstrate learning loss that began in relation to the COVID–19 pandemic for the purpose of determining the reason that the learning loss continues.</text> </level> </level> <level label="h"> <text>During the period from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2025, the report and recommendations of an Expert Review Team shall be advisory only and may be used by a school and local school system to strengthen the school program and the management of the school and local school system.</text> </level> <level label="i"> <level label="1"> <level label="i"> <text>Beginning on July 1, 2025, the report and recommendations of an Expert Review Team shall be used by the Department as the basis for a recommendation to the Board under § 5–405 of this subtitle as to whether to release a portion of the annual increase in funding for the upcoming school year because the school and the local school system have developed a satisfactory plan for the use of the funds consistent with the Expert Review Team’s recommendations.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>In fulfilling its duties under this subsection, an Expert Review Team in the Program may make recommendations on:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Requiring State action in accordance with § 7–203.4 of this article; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Pairing the school with a higher performing school with similar demographics from which the school leadership collaborates and shares expertise for the benefit of faculty and staff.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the Board determines that all or a portion of a school’s annual increase in funding should not be released due to an unsatisfactory plan, the Department shall work with the school and local school system to develop a satisfactory plan to allow release of the withheld funds.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-412" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Accountability and Implementation Board"> <level label="a"> <level label="1"> <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>“CTE Committee” means the Career and Technical Education Committee established under § 21–207 of this article.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>“Program” means the CTE Expert Review Team Program.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>The CTE Committee shall establish, administer, and supervise a CTE Expert Review Team Program for schools with career and technical education programs and pathways.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Subject to the provisions of this subsection, the program will have the same purpose, structure, training, and reporting requirements as the Expert Review Team Program established by the Department under § 5–411 of this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="3"> <level label="i"> <text>The CTE Committee shall select the members of CTE Expert Review Teams in the Program.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The CTE Committee shall select CTE Expert Review Team members who, to the extent practicable, reflect the geographic, racial, ethnic, linguistic, and gender diversity of the population of the public school students, from the following groups:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Highly regarded career and technical education teachers who are represented by teachers’ organizations that, for purposes of collective bargaining, represent a majority of teachers in the State or in a local school system;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>School leaders;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Employers;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Trade unions; and</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Apprenticeship and internship sponsors.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="4"> <text>During a school visit, a CTE Expert Review Team shall conduct interviews, observe classes, and use other data to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Determine whether student progress is insufficient toward successful completion of the CTE pathway; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Develop recommendations, measures, and strategies to address the issues identified by the CTE Expert Review Team.</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>After a CTE Expert Review Team issues a report, the school, the county board, the employers, and apprenticeship or internship sponsors shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Review the report and recommendations; and</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>If necessary, submit a plan to the CTE Committee addressing the recommendations in the report.</text> </level> </level> <level label="6"> <level label="i"> <text>Beginning on July 1, 2022, and ending July 1, 2031, the CTE Committee shall develop and submit to the Board, for approval, a plan to deploy the CTE Expert Review Teams in the following school year.</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Subject to the Board’s approval, the CTE Committee shall schedule CTE Expert Review Team school visits in a manner designed to provide the CTE Committee and the Department with sufficient information to make informed decisions on the release of school funds conditioned on student performance, including adequate time for a school to respond to an Expert Review Team’s report and recommendations before decisions are made regarding the retaining of school funds.</text> </level> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-413" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Accountability and Implementation Board"> <level label="a"> <text>On or before July 1 each year, beginning in 2022 and ending in 2031, the Maryland Longitudinal Data System Center, in consultation with the Department and the Maryland Higher Education Commission, shall submit a report to the Board, the Governor, and in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on the progress made in increasing the preparation and diversity of teacher candidates and new teachers in the State as required by the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The report required under subsection (a) of this section shall include:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Data trends in:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The number of applications to and acceptance by Maryland teacher education institutions and alternative programs that prepare educators, as a whole and disaggregated by gender, racial, and ethnic background;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Teacher quality as measured by the grades, class standing, and accountability test performance of students applying to and admitted to institutions and alternative programs;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The proportion of graduates of teacher education programs, including those graduates expecting to teach at the elementary school level, who have majored as undergraduates in the subjects they plan to teach to the total number of graduates of teacher education programs;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>The proportion of new teachers hired in the State who were trained out of State to those trained in the State;</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>The satisfaction of school district officials with newly hired teachers who have just graduated from Maryland institutions as determined by the school district officials’ responses to questions on a form the officials helped develop; and</text> </level> <level label="vi"> <text>The proportion of graduates of teacher education programs who pass required tests for licensure on the first attempt and after subsequent attempts;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Measures taken to increase the proportion of highly qualified individuals from groups historically underrepresented in the teaching profession who apply to teacher education institutions;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Measures taken to increase the number of high school graduates with very strong academic backgrounds who select teaching as a career;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Measures taken to make teacher education in the underlying disciplines more rigorous;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Measures taken to better align the programs of the teacher education institutions with State curriculum frameworks;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Measures taken to improve the background of beginning teachers in research and research techniques;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Implementation of more rigorous licensing standards and measures for new teachers in both mastery of the subject being taught and the methods for teaching it;</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>Implementation of incentives to attract high–quality high school graduates into careers in teaching;</text> </level> <level label="9"> <text>Trends in the rates at which teachers are acquiring the credentials needed to advance up the career ladder, established under Title 6, Subtitle 10 of this article, including National Board Certification and higher steps on the ladder;</text> </level> <level label="10"> <text>Trends in the distribution of teachers along the steps of the career ladder;</text> </level> <level label="11"> <text>Trends in longevity in teaching in Maryland schools and, in particular, schools serving high proportions of historically underserved students;</text> </level> <level label="12"> <text>Trends in the number of teacher candidates of color hired by local school systems disaggregated by higher education institution and alternative teacher preparation program and the systems in which those new teachers were hired; and</text> </level> <level label="13"> <text>Trends in the number of teachers certified through alternative preparation programs that meet the requirements of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future related to a longer practicum by school system.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-414" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Accountability and Implementation Board"> <level label="a"> <text>On or after July 1, 2026, the Board, in consultation with the Maryland Longitudinal Data System Center, shall perform an evaluation that measures the effectiveness of efforts to increase diversity in:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Enrollment in teacher preparation programs;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Teacher candidates who successfully graduate from teacher preparation programs and subsequently enter the teaching profession; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Teachers and school leaders in primary and secondary schools in the State.</text> </level> </level> <level label="b"> <text>The evaluation required under subsection (a) of this section shall be conducted in consultation with at least one institution of higher education in the State.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <text>On or before December 31, 2026, the Board shall submit a report to the Governor and, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, the General Assembly on the results of the evaluation performed under subsection (a) of this section, including any recommendations for alterations in State programs and policies as needed to ensure diversity in the areas described under subsection (a) of this section.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-501" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="State-Aided Educational Institutions"> <level label="a"> <text>For fiscal year 2001 and each fiscal year thereafter, to be considered for funding under this subtitle, an educational institution must qualify as a State-aided educational institution under this subtitle.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>To qualify as a State-aided educational institution, an educational institution shall submit to the Department the following documentation:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The names of the members of an independent governing board for the institution;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Proof of status as a nonprofit organization;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>A copy of the most recent independent annual audit or copies of the most recent internally generated financial statements until the annual audit is available;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>A detailed operating budget that:</text> <level label="i"> <text>For an educational institution other than the Baltimore Zoo, indicates that less than 50% of the operating budget comes from State grants;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Specifies all sources of income, including grants received, names of granting agencies, and the amount of each grant; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Specifies all expenditures;</text> </level> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Plans for the use of any grant funds that may be awarded by the State-aided educational institutions grants programs;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Evidence of the provision of a direct service to Maryland school groups or to individuals with disabilities, including:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Data on age levels of students to be served;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>Data on the projected number of students and teachers to be served both statewide and by local jurisdiction; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Plans of the institution to support the goals of the Maryland Schools for Success Program and the Maryland School Performance Program; and</text> </level> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Evidence of liability insurance coverage.</text> </level> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-502" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="State-Aided Educational Institutions"> <text>An educational institution that seeks to qualify as a State-aided educational institution for funding in the fiscal year following the upcoming fiscal year shall submit before May 1 to the Maryland State Department of Education:</text> <level label="1"> <text>An augmentation request describing:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Who will be served;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The objectives of the educational program; and</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The anticipated outcomes;</text> </level> </level> <level label="2"> <text>An application for qualification as a State-aided educational institution; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Supporting documentation as described in § 5-501 of this subtitle.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-503" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="State-Aided Educational Institutions"> <text>The Department shall review applications for qualification as a State-aided educational institution and shall submit a list of the qualified institutions to the State Superintendent of Schools in June.</text> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-504" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="State-Aided Educational Institutions"> <text>The State Superintendent shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Review and comment on the institutions on the list of qualified institutions and the extent and manner in which each would forward the goals of the Maryland Schools for Success Program and the Maryland School Performance Program; and</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Present the list of qualified institutions and comments on each institution to the State Board at the July meeting for review and comment by the Board at the August meeting.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-505" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="State-Aided Educational Institutions"> <text>After the August meeting, the State Board shall submit to the Governor:</text> <level label="1"> <text>The list of qualified institutions;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The Superintendent’s comments on each institution; and</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>The Board’s comments, if any, on each institution.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-506" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="State-Aided Educational Institutions"> <text>The Department shall adopt regulations to implement this subtitle.</text> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-601" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Authorization to Issue Bonds to Fund Public School Construction"> <text>The provisions of this subtitle do not apply to a county otherwise authorized to issue bonds to fund public school construction under other provisions of the Code.</text> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-602" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Authorization to Issue Bonds to Fund Public School Construction"> <level label="a"> <text>In this subtitle, “construction or improvement” means the planning, design, engineering, alteration, construction, reconstruction, enlargement, expansion, extension, improvement, replacement, rehabilitation, renovation, upgrading, repair, or capital equipping.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <text>A county may issue bonds to finance any or all of the costs of construction or improvement of public schools in the county provided that the construction and improvement contracts and subcontracts comply with the requirements of Title 17, Subtitle 2 and Title 14 of the State Finance and Procurement Article if the requirements would otherwise be applicable.</text> </level> <level label="c"> <level label="1"> <text>Bonds shall be authorized by a resolution of the governing body of the county.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>The resolution shall:</text> <level label="i"> <text>Generally describe the public school construction or improvements to be financed through the sale of the bonds;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>State the maximum principal amount of the bonds;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>Describe the sources of repayment of the bonds;</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>State the maximum term of the bonds, which may not exceed 30 years; and</text> </level> <level label="v"> <text>Describe any terms or conditions under which the bonds may be redeemed before maturity.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="d"> <text>The bonds shall:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Be dated and bear interest at a rate specified in the resolution;</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Mature within 30 years of the date of issuance of the bonds;</text> </level> <level label="3"> <text>Be issued at, above, or below par value, for cash or other consideration;</text> </level> <level label="4"> <text>Be payable at a time, in the denomination, in registered form, within the meaning of § 19–204 of the Local Government Article, as specified in the resolution;</text> </level> <level label="5"> <text>Carry the registration and privileges as to conversion and for the replacement of mutilated, lost, or destroyed bonds, as specified in the resolution;</text> </level> <level label="6"> <text>Be payable in lawful money of the United States of America at a designated place;</text> </level> <level label="7"> <text>Be subject to the terms and conditions specified in the resolution; and</text> </level> <level label="8"> <text>Be sold in the manner, including private or negotiated sale, and upon the terms, specified in the resolution.</text> </level> </level> <level label="e"> <text>The county may enter into agreements with agents, banks, fiduciaries, insurers, or others to:</text> <level label="1"> <text>Enhance the marketability of and security for the bonds; or</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>Secure any tender option granted to the holders of the bonds.</text> </level> </level> <level label="f"> <text>If any officer whose signature appears on a bond ceases to be an officer before delivery of the bonds, the signature is valid and sufficient for all purposes.</text> </level> <level label="g"> <text>The bonds, their issue, and their sale may be exempt from the provisions of §§ 19–205 and 19–206 of the Local Government Article.</text> </level> <level label="h"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the net proceeds of the sale of the bonds may only be applied to the construction or improvement of public school facilities, as described in the resolution authorizing the issuance of the bonds.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If the net proceeds of the sale of any bonds exceeds the amount needed for the construction or improvement of the public school facilities, as described in the resolution, the excess funds shall be applied to:</text> <level label="i"> <text>The payment of interest on the bonds;</text> </level> <level label="ii"> <text>The payment of the next principal maturity of the bonds;</text> </level> <level label="iii"> <text>The redemption of any part of the bonds that are redeemable before maturity; or</text> </level> <level label="iv"> <text>If authorized by a resolution issued by the governing body of the county, the construction or improvement of other public school facilities.</text> </level> </level> </level> <level label="i"> <text>Bonds issued under this subtitle are negotiable instruments under the laws of this State.</text> </level> <level label="j"> <text>Before the preparation of bonds, the county may issue bond anticipation notes in accordance with Title 19, Subtitle 2, Part III of the Local Government Article.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-603" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Authorization to Issue Bonds to Fund Public School Construction"> <level label="a"> <text>Bonds issued under this subtitle constitute an irrevocable pledge of the full faith and credit and unlimited taxing power of the county to the payment of the principal of and interest on the bonds when the bonds become payable.</text> </level> <level label="b"> <level label="1"> <text>Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, in every fiscal year in which any of the bonds are outstanding, the county shall levy ad valorem taxes on all assessable property within the corporate limits of the county in an amount sufficient to make payments, when due, on the principal of and interest on the bonds.</text> </level> <level label="2"> <text>If other funds are available to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds, the county may reduce the taxes that would otherwise need to be levied under this section.</text> </level> </level> <level label="c"> <text>The county may apply funds received from any source to the payment of the principal of and interest on the bonds.</text> </level> </section> <section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="5-604" title_number="5" title_name="Financing" subtitle_number="6" subtitle_name="Authorization to Issue Bonds to Fund Public School Construction"> <text>Bonds issued under this subtitle are exempt from State, county, and municipal taxation.</text> </section>