Maryland Association of Boards of Education - MABE

2012 Regular Session Summary & Special Session Update

sbarry — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:43:33 +0000

MABE had a very successful legislative session, including passage of the Maintenance of Effort reform bill, increased funding for the Bridge to Excellence Act including a 1% inflation factor, and more than $350 million for school construction and renovation projects. In addition, many bills opposed by MABE were defeated. To learn more, read MABE's 2012 Session Summary (as of May 7, 2012).

Unfortunately, when the General Assembly enacted the FY 2013 Budget Bill without enacting either the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act or the revenue bill, this triggered "doomsday" budget cuts included in the Budget Bill. Most alarming for public education was the elimination of nearly $130 million in Geographic Cost of Education Index (GCEI) funding.

To restore GCEI funding, MABE urged the Governor to convene a special session. MABE Letter to Governor O'Malley Requesting a Special Session (May 4, 2012). As expected, the Governor has announced a special session to begin on May 14, 2012, to last through Wednesday May 16, in order to pass the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act (SB 152) and the revenue bill (SB 523). MABE will provide testimony in both the Senate Budget and Taxation Committee and House Appropriations Committee on Monday, May 14 to share our strong support for legislative action to restore GCEI funding. MABE Testimony Supporting the BRFA to Restore GCEI Funding (May 14, 2012)

For more on current legislative issues, visit the Priority Issues page and the 2012 Session Testimony page of the Annapolis Advocacy Center.

May 21, Legal Services Seminars

sbarry — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 16:30:36 +0000

May 21, 2012, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with an hour break for lunch -

Avoiding Legal Pitfalls in Board Meetings, Closed Sessions, and Hearings are among the most difficult tasks local boards face. This seminar will equip you to handle these critical functions more effectively, and to avoid the legal traps that often occur.

Open Meetings Act – Closing Legally is a review of Maryland's Open Meetings Act and its impact on public school boards. Attendees will review when and how to close a meeting legally, gain a greater understanding the administrative function exception, and identify situations when the Open Meetings Act does not apply.

To register, please contact Steve Bounds at sbounds@mabe.org.

MABE Risk Management Secure Website

sbarry — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 19:32:32 +0000

Risk Management's secure website is now available online to members of the Risk Managers Users Groups, Benefits Coordinators and Group Insurance and Workers Comp Trustees.

Nominations Open for MABE’s Highest Honor

sbarry — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 16:11:26 +0000

The Charles W. Willis Award represents recognition by peers of outstanding service at the local and state level. The award, established in memory of MABE's first executive director, is limited to a single honoree annually. Is a current or former member of your school board deserving of MABE’s highest honor?

Nomination forms and information have been sent to board presidents and offices, and emailed to all members. Forms and information are available on the website, and the names of former recipients is available on the award page. The deadline for nominations is July 6, 2012.

The Charles W. Willis Award committee, made up of current board members from around the state, will meet in July to determine the 2012 recipient, and the award will be presented during the Presidents Dinner at MABE's Annual Conference.