2021 Legislative Priorities & Positions
MABE’s Legislative Committee is led by Karen Yoho, Chair, and Brenda Wolff, Vice Chair, and includes representatives from all 24 boards of education.
The Legislative Committee holds monthly meetings to guide the association’s lobbying activities in Annapolis, and invites policy and legislative leaders as guest speakers to exchange ideas. During the legislative session, MABE’s bill testimony reflects the association’s resolutions as annually updated and adopted by the full membership, and legislative priorities and positions as adopted by the Legislative Committee.
On November 16, 2020, the Legislative Committee adopted MABE’s Legislative Priorities and Positions for the 2021 Session.
Equity & Excellence
MABE is uncompromisingly committed to the academic success of all students. MABE’s legislative platform reflects the association’s adoption of an equity core value, equity resolution, and equity lens. For MABE, educational equity in Maryland means providing access to essential academic, social, emotional, and economic supports in order to engage each student in rigorous well-rounded instruction toward them achieving their highest potential as learners and citizens. MABE pledges to reflect the core value of equity in the decision-making processes of the association including the priorities and positions of the legislative committee.
The COVID-19 Pandemic & Public Education
MABE recognizes the historic and devastating impacts of the ongoing public health and economic crisis resulting from the COVID-19 coronavirus. This is also an educational crisis, forcing school closures, emergency meal distribution, transitions to digital and distance teaching and learning, and reductions in available revenues to sustain and advance Maryland’s outstanding but already inadequately and inequitably funded public education system. The following positions represent MABE’s commitment to equity and excellence and to a strong educational recovery from the ongoing crisis on behalf of each of our nearly 1 million students.
MABE’s top priorities for the 2021 Legislative Session include:
• Support for governance authority for local boards of education to adopt education policies and school system budgets reflecting local priorities and resources. MABE supports broad discretion for local board decision-making authority in exercising legislative, judicial, and executive functions in accord with state and federal law and principles of equity and excellence for all students. MABE opposes state initiatives which would reduce or eliminate local board governance or budgetary authority or create new unfunded mandates.
• Support for full State funding for Maryland’s outstanding public schools. Specifically, MABE supports enacting the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future legislation to fulfill the State’s constitutional duty to adopt a school funding system that ensures equity and excellence in every school. MABE supports increased state funding in the state budget for FY 2022 and opposes legislative and executive proposals to reduce education funding.
• Support for increased State funding for school construction and renovation projects. Specifically, MABE supports enacting the Built to Learn Act to launch a $2 billion school construction program in the Maryland Stadium Authority; and at least $400 million in the FY 2022 capital budget to support all 24 school systems in designing, building, operating, and maintaining high quality learning environments for all students.
• Support for sustained and increased local government investments in education. Funding from Maryland’s 23 counties and Baltimore City plays a critical role in combination with State and federal funding. Therefore, MABE strongly supports preserving the “maintenance of effort” guarantee that local funding must be sustained and increased from year to year.
For additional information, contact John Woolums, MABE’s Director of Governmental Relations.
Legislative Committee Calendar
January 4, 2021
Session Convened Jan. 13, 2021
February 1, 2021
February 22, 2021
March 15, 2021
April 5, 2021
Session Adjourns April 12, 2021
April 26, 2021
MABE’s Legislative Committee meetings are currently be conducted virtually through Zoom on Monday mornings, 10:00 to 12:00, unless otherwise indicated.
Meeting agendas and materials are posted in advance of the meetings, and updated regularly.
Legislative Committee Meetings and Materials
Next Meeting – April 5, 2021
April 5, 2021
March 15, 2021
HB 1372 – Blueprint Revisions Bill – Section-by-section outline
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 – Presentation
February 22, 2021
February 1, 2021
Education Budget Highlights (K-12 & Early Education)
School Construction Budget Highlights
Fiscal Briefing (Dept. of Legislative Services, Jan. 25, 2021) & Video
January 4, 2021
Guest Speaker: Senator Paul Pinsky, Chair of the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee
House & Senate Committee Procedures (MABE Slides)
NSBA Overview of December 2020 COVID Relief Funding
School Based Health Center Webpage & Report
December 14, 2020
NSBA Call to Action for Federal COVID-19 Funding Relief
Strong Schools Call to Action for Blueprint Veto Override
November 16, 2020
MABE’s 2021 Legislative Priorities & Positions
(For approval on Nov. 16th)
Presentation & Discussion of Major Issues
Local Legislative Priorities and Legislative Initiatives
House (Letter) and Senate (Presentation) Reopening Guidelines for the 2021 Session
October 26, 2020
MABE Legislative Positions for 2021
(Draft for Review & approval on Nov. 16, 2020)
September 28, 2020
September 14, 2020 1:00-2:30 p.m.
August 31, 2020
Agenda (Updated)
Agenda & All Materials (Updated)
Education Recovery and Reopening Plan Issues
- PSSAM Letter to the Maryland Dept. of Health Requesting Health Metrics
- Governor’s Press Conference Announcing Reopening Authorization & Standards
- MABE/PSSAM Joint Statement
- MSDE Report on Review of Local Education Recovery and Reopening Plans (8/24/20)
Equitable Services Funding
- Fed. Dist. Ct. Preliminary Injunction Blocking Fed. Rule on Equitable Services Funding for Nonpublic Schools
- MABE Letter to Dr. Salmon & MABE Letter to U.S. Senators Opposing the Federal Rule
August 3, 2020
- MSDE/State Board Updates
- State Legislative Updates
- Board of Public Works – Discussion of Budget Cuts (July 22, 2020)
- Gaming Revenues & the Education Trust Fund: FY 2019 Fact Sheet, FY 2011-2018 Summary
- COMAR on Student Attendance Policies
- States Enacting COVID-19 Liability Protection Legislation (Article features Georgia’s Bill); and Louisiana Legislation: Article and Bill Text
- Police Reforms and SROs (EdWeek Article); Sun Article on Howard County’s SROs
- Federal COVID-19 Funding Legislation: Status & Advocacy
-
- HEALS Act: EdWeek Article, NSBA Summary and NSBA Summary of the Liability Provision
- CCCER Act: Summary
-
June 22, 2020
MABE Session Highlights & COVID-19 Updates
MABE Leadership Statements for the Briefing on Education Issues Related to the COVID-19 Pandemic before the House Ways and Means and Appropriations Committee (June 11, 2020) (Briefing Agenda)
- Martha James-Hassan, MABE President
- Julie Hummer, MABE Legislative Committee Chair
- Mavis Ellis, MABE Legislative Committee Vice Chair
May 18, 2020
Agenda & Materials
Kirwan Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Veto
Budget Updates
MSDE Education Recovery Plan
- Education Recovery Plan
- MABE Statement & MABE Letter to Dr. Salmon
- House Leadership Letter to MABE/PSSAM/MSEA on COVID-19
Federal Nonpublic School Funding Guidance
- MABE Letter to Dr. Salmon & MABE Letter to U.S. Senators
- NSBA/AASA et al. Letter to Sec. DeVos
- Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) Letter to Sec. DeVos
April 27, 2020
(also planned as teleconference meeting)
- Letter to Senators Cardin & Van Hollen
- Letter to Majority Leader Hoyer and All House Members of Congressional Delegation
- MABE Session Summary (updated April 17, 2020)
- DLS Session Summary
March 30, 2020
Agenda & Materials (for the teleconference meeting)
- NSBA Letter to Sec. Betsy DeVos – Requesting Flexibility for K-12 Public Schools in the Wake of Coronavirus National Emergency (March 19, 2020)
-
COVID-19 (“Coronavirus”) Information and Resources for Schools and School Personnel
- STUDENT PRIVACY POLICY OFFICE
FERPA & Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
March 2020 - Addressing the Risk of COVID-19 in Preschool, Elementary and Secondary Schools
While Serving Children with Disabilities – Supplemental Fact Sheet (March 21, 2020) - Providing Services to Children with Disabilities During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak (March 12, 2020)
- “USDA Makes it Easier to Feed Kids and Those Who Need Food During the COVID-19 National Emergency” (March 26, 2020)
Updated Materials:
- Governor Hogan’s Revised “Stay at Home” Executive Order (March 30, 2020)
- Guidance for Employers on Letters for Employees (March 30, 2020)
March 16, 2020 – Cancelled due to Coronavirus Public Health Concerns
March 2, 2020
February 13, 2020
January 27, 2020
January 6, 2020
December 16, 2019 – Cancelled due to inclement weather
Agenda & Materials
Kirwan Blueprint
Kirwan Blueprint Return on Investment (ROI) Study
School Employees/Applicant’s Sexual Misconduct History Review
Legislation to Improve HB 486 from 2019 (draft bill for discussion)
State regulations to implement HB 486 (proposed on Dec. 3, 2019)
General Assembly Issue Papers for the 2020 Session
Education Section (pp. 52-63 of full report)
Local Government Section (pp. 86-106 of full report)
State Board Updates
Charter School Funding Regulations (proposed on October 22, 2019)
November 18, 2019
MABE’s 2020 Legislative Positions and Priorities (Final Draft for Approval)
School Facilities
- Draft Final Report (Oct. 28, 2019)
- MABE Comments on the Workgroup’s Draft Final Report (Nov. 13, 2019)
Kirwan Commission Updates
- MABE Leadership Testimony (November 12, 2019)
October 21, 2019
Presentation: What’s the Kirwan Commission & Blueprint for Maryland’s Future All About
Student Transfer Regulations
– MABE President’s Letter to the AELR Committee (Sept. 30, 2019)
– MABE President’s Letter to Dr. Salmon and Pres. Sumpter (Sept. 30, 2019)
MABE’s Legislative Process & Draft Legislative Positions
– MABE’s Legislative Process Overview
– DRAFT 2020 Legislative Positions
October 3, 2019 – Legislative Committee Breakfast Meeting
Kirwan Commission Overview & Updates (Presentation)
School Facilities Funding & Policy Updates
Student Transfer Regulations
– MABE President’s Letter to the AELR Committee (Sept. 30, 2019)
– MABE President’s Letter to Dr. Salmon and Pres. Sumpter (Sept. 30, 2019)
2018-2019 Legislative Committee Meetings and Materials (Archives)
April 29, 2019
2019 Legislative Session Summary Report (Updated April 29, 2019)
Slide Presentation (Updated April 29, 2019)
March 25, 2019
– House Budget Bill Summary (HB 100)
– Senate Budget Bill Summary (HB 100)
– Budget Conference Committee Members
– School Construction Funding – Build to Learn Act (HB 727) and Outline
March 11, 2019
February 25, 2019
February 4, 2019
January 24, 2019
MABE Briefing Presentation to the Senate Education Committee
January 18, 2019
Governor Hogan Releases his FY 2020 State Budget
FY 2020 Direct State Aid for Public Education
January 15, 2019
MABE Briefing Presentation to the House Ways and Means Committee
January 7, 2019
Dec. 17, 2018
Nov. 26, 2018
- Final Draft 2019 Legislative Positions & Priorities
- MABE Testimony for the Kirwan Commission Hearing on Nov. 29, 2018
- MABE Comments on Draft IAC Regulations
- MABE Comments on State Board Proposed Grading Policy Regulations
- MABE/PSSAM Comments on State Board Appeals Procedures Regulations
- State Board approved Gifted & Talented Regulations (Oct. 23, 2018)
Oct. 15, 2018
Oct. 4, 2018
Sept. 17, 2018
- Question 1
- Safe to Learn Act Presentation
- Lead Testing
- Grading Policy Regulations – Pending
- Gaming Revenues & Education Share in FY 2018
- Governor’s Executive Order and Statement on Education Accountability Office
2017-2018 Legislative Committee Meetings and Materials (Archives)
April 23, 2018
March 26, 2018
March 12, 2018
February 26, 2018
February 20, 2018
Kirwan Commission Bill Outline
February 12, 2018
January 22, 2018
Education Budget Highlights FY 2019
Fiscal Briefing Materials: Federal Tax Impact
December 18, 2017
Agenda and Materials (Part 1 and Part 2)
Knott Commission – Funding and Process Subcommittee Materials
Kirwan Commission Preliminary Report Draft Recommendations
DLS 2018 Session Issue Papers (Education Section)
MABE Legislative Process Presentation and PDF
November 13, 2017
Legislative Positions Publication (Final Draft for Approval)
October 16, 2017
Agenda and Materials – Draft 2018 Legislative Positions (for action on Nov. 13, 2017)
Dr. Kirwan’s Presentation (PowerPoint) (PDF) (Oct. 16, 2017)
Kirwan Commission Draft Vision & Framework for School Funding and Accountability Reforms (Sept. 14, 2017)
MABE Comments to the Kirwan Commission (Oct. 12, 2017)
President Miller/Speaker Busch Letter to Bob Gorrell, PSCP Director (Oct. 11, 2017)
Center for American Progress – A Comprehensive Analysis of Prekindergarten in Maryland (Oct. 10. 2017)
MSDE ESSA Plan Overview (Oct. 4, 2017)
Commission on the School-to-Prison Pipeline & Restorative Practices – Meeting Schedule
October 5, 2017 Legislative Committee Breakfast
September 18, 2017
Proposed Changes to State/Local Cost Shares for School Construction Funding (for IAC approval on 9/28/17)
- Originally proposed Changes to State/Local Cost Shares for School Construction Funding (Withdrawn w/o discussion at the Aug. 17, 2017 Board of Public Works meeting)
- State/Local Cost Shares – Revised from August proposal, but withdrawn on September 13, 2017
- Current Cost Share COMAR Regulation