Court Rules Baltimore Schools Receive Constitutionally Adequate Funding Despite Underfunding Evidence

A Maryland Circuit Court has ruled that Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPSS) receives constitutionally adequate funding from the state, despite longstanding evidence of chronic underfunding.

The ruling was issued on March 3, 2023, in the case of Bradford v. Maryland State Board of Education, which has been ongoing for nearly three decades. The court concluded that the Maryland Constitution requires only a basic educational effort from the state, thereby limiting judicial avenues for challenging funding disparities.

Parents of students in Baltimore City filed the lawsuit to hold the State Board of Education accountable for what they describe as severe underfunding, which they argue fails to meet constitutional standards for education. Advocates, including the Legal Defense Fund and ACLU of Maryland, presented substantial evidence of this underfunding, referencing Maryland’s constitutional guarantee of adequate education.

Alaizah Koorji from the Legal Defense Fund expressed disappointment with the ruling, noting that it contradicts previous court decisions that acknowledged the state’s failure to provide adequate funding. “The children of Baltimore City deserve more than a ‘basic’ education,” Koorji stated, emphasizing the need for a more equitable educational framework.

Historically, Maryland courts have recognized the inadequacies in funding for BCPSS, with findings in 1996, 2000, 2002, and 2004 highlighting systemic inequities. Despite these findings, no permanent solution has been established to rectify the funding disparities that primarily affect Black and Brown students in the city.

A 2017 report indicated that BCPSS was underfunded by $342 million, a gap exacerbated by cuts to the education funding formula in 2007. This lack of sufficient funding has led to deteriorating school conditions and a lack of necessary resources for students.

In contrast to this ruling, courts in other states, such as New Jersey and Ohio, have held their state governments accountable for failing to provide adequate funding based on similar constitutional provisions.

Despite the court’s decision, advocates remain committed to pursuing further action to secure improved funding and conditions for BCPSS. Shawanda McCray, a plaintiff in the case, expressed hope for future changes, stating that the fight for equitable education is far from over.

Reported by HarborBeat based on Legal Defense Fund (source).