Baltimore City Schools Resolve Long-standing Charter Funding Dispute

The Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners has voted to settle a protracted dispute regarding funding for the city's charter schools. This agreement, reached on Tuesday, mandates that the school district allocate an additional $5.2 million by the end of the month for educational programming at its 30 charter schools, which collectively serve over 13,000 students.

Charter school leaders in Baltimore have long contended that they are owed $30 million for the 2025-26 school year, a claim that the district disputed last spring. For over a decade, Maryland charter schools have argued that they receive insufficient funding from local school districts, while district officials have countered that charter schools do not contribute their fair share for essential services.

Baltimore hosts the highest number of charter schools in Maryland, a stark contrast to other districts that often have none. The settlement resolves funding issues for both current and past fiscal years, establishing a new funding formula that will remain in effect until the 2030 budget year.

Under the terms of the settlement, the additional funds will be distributed to charter schools based on their student enrollment numbers. Schools with as few as 161 students will receive just over $103,000, while larger schools with nearly 1,400 students may receive close to $900,000.

Moreover, charter operators will begin contributing to the costs of school police services, with fees ranging from $150 to $192 per student, depending on grade levels. This fee may increase by up to 8% annually to account for rising operational costs.

The Maryland state school board recently clarified how districts should fund charter schools and the limitations on withholding funds for significant expenses. Districts can charge a 5% administrative fee, which the settlement will use to cover legal services for charter schools.

In a joint statement, representatives from both Baltimore City Public Schools and the charter school operators expressed satisfaction with the resolution, highlighting a shared commitment to serving all students and families in Baltimore City.

Reported by HarborBeat based on thebanner.com (source).