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Weldon Works for Education


Mandatory state aid programs are fully funded and public school construction projects have received a large influx of new state funds. The Maryland General Assembly also funded record increases for the third consecutive year. • Public schools will receive over $4 billion, an increase of $466 million or 11.6% • This increase follows those of $380 million in 2006 and $323 million in 2005. • Education aid has increased by $1.6 billion from 2002 to 2007.

Frederick County: 

    • State funding for public schools increases by $56.8 million 
    • Public schools receive:
      • $168.0 million for operations
      • $ 17.9 million for construction
    • Frederick County library system receives $1 million.

Washington County:

    • State funding for public schools increases by $45.3 million
    • Public schools receive:
      • $111.6 million for operations
      • $    4.5 million for construction 
      • Washington County library system receives $1 million

The State is also providing $24.6 million for capital projects at the School for the Deaf.

Teacher Pension Enhancement:

  • The pension enhancement, retroactive to 1998, increases the benefit multiplier used to calculate a retiree’s annual payment from 1.4% to 1.8% per year of service
  • Teacher’s contribution to their pension will increase from 2.2 to 5% of their annual compensation phased in over three years
  • For example: a new teacher’s first year pension after teaching 30 years will increase from 42% of average final salary to 54%. (SB1019/HB1737)

Supporting new teachers and enhancing professional development:

  • Training programs and long-term support for new teachers in hard-to-staff schools.
  • Train teachers to integrate technology into curricula and to introduce elementary age students to computer technology.
  • $2 million to train student teacher interns in specially designed schools that assist in improving the quality of the workforce and teacher retention.

Maryland Alternative Teaching Opportunity Program: A four-to eight-week paid internship for candidates enrolled in a program with the intention of becoming a science, mathematics or special education teacher and who make a commitment to teach in the school for at least three years. (HB794)

Colleges and Universities receive an increase of $130 million, or an 11.2% increase. State funding for Frederick Community College includes $6.6 million for operations. 

Higher Education - Tuition Affordability Act of 2006 – Tuition is frozen for University of Maryland and Morgan State University resident undergraduates for 2006-2007.  Fall 2006 resident tuition increases at St. Mary’s College are limited to 4.8%. (SB959/HB1381)

 

©August 2006 All rights reserved Paid for by authority of Amy M. Weldon, Treasurer