Maryland’s state board of education has ruled that charter school students must get the same funding that their public school counterparts receive from local school systems.
The board made nearly identical rulings May 6 on appeals from three charter schools that are trying to open in the city of Baltimore and in Prince George’s County. Under the ruling, Baltimore charter schools are to receive allotments of $11,000 per pupil for the next academic year, instead of the $7,500 they would have otherwise.
The Baltimore school system said last week it would seek a court order and file a federal complaint challenging the decision.
Maryland has just one charter school, located in the city of Frederick, but nearly 10 more are expected to open in the fall. Seven existing public schools in Baltimore will also convert to charters. (“Md. Charters Poised to Debut Amid Concerns,” April 6, 2005.)
