Baltimore City School Spending Reaches $21,000 Per Student This Year

BALTIMORE — The budget for Baltimore City Schools has reached approximately $1.62 billion for the current school year, translating to a spending rate of about $21,000 per student. This significant increase in funding comes as a result of the Kirwan education funding plan, which was enacted by Maryland lawmakers two years ago.

This year's budget reflects a nearly $230 million rise from last year's total of $1.39 billion, marking a 16 percent increase. However, the district continues to experience declining enrollment, raising concerns about whether the increased financial investment will lead to improved educational outcomes.

In contrast to Baltimore City, neighboring counties such as Baltimore County and Howard County have seen much smaller budget increases, at 1 percent and 3 percent respectively, while Anne Arundel County's budget rose by 11 percent. These districts have maintained stable or growing student populations.

Critics of the funding increase have pointed to a history of scandals within the Baltimore City Schools system, questioning the effectiveness of previous financial allocations. Jennifer Butler from the Maryland Public Policy Institute has expressed skepticism about the efficient use of current funds.

Supporters of the Kirwan plan, including Delegate Eric Luedtke, argue that not only is funding being increased, but reforms are also being implemented to enhance accountability within schools. The aim is to ensure that the additional resources are utilized effectively to benefit students.

According to the latest U.S. Census report, Baltimore City Schools is now one of the top four most-funded large school systems in the nation, trailing only New York City, Boston, and Washington D.C. However, these districts boast significantly higher proficiency rates in reading compared to Baltimore.

The budget's 16 percent increase is primarily allocated to Mid-Level Administration and Instruction, which includes expenditures for teacher salaries and classroom supplies. As the school year progresses, many will be watching closely to see if this influx of funding translates into tangible improvements in student performance.

Reported by HarborBeat based on WBFF (source).