Maryland Schools Face $360M Budget Shortfall

The U.S. Department of Education has informed Maryland education officials that it will not reimburse schools for $360 million in funds that had already been allocated across the state’s 24 school systems.

These federal funds were intended to aid schools in recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting programs such as tutoring, social-emotional wellness initiatives, and summer learning opportunities.

“We are extremely concerned about the catastrophic budget implications in terms of staffing, programs, and services to students in classrooms across Maryland,” state education leaders said in a statement.

State School Superintendent Carey Wright and State Board of Education President Josh Michael are expected to address the issue further at a press briefing this morning.

According to the statement, the U.S. Department of Education had previously extended the deadline for states to use pandemic recovery funds for services through January 2026. Schools had already spent or committed these funds with the expectation of receiving federal reimbursement.

Education officials warn that the decision will impact both state and local government budgets. Maryland schools receive approximately $1.6 billion in federal funds each year, which accounts for less than 10% of total education funding. This year, the state allocated over $9 billion to education, while city and county governments contributed $8.2 billion.

Maryland Schools Face $360 Million Shortfall After Federal Reimbursement Denied  was originally published on wolbbaltimore.com