Baltimore City’s and Montgomery County’s school systems are in jeopardy of losing funding due to unmet requirements under the state’s preeminent education plan, the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.

At a meeting Thursday, the Blueprint Accountability & Implementation Board voted to officially warn the two school systems that they have not complied with certain criteria that would warrant the board’s approval to release fiscal years 2025 and 2026 Blueprint funds.

“We do have to make certain we abide by the terms and conditions in our statute to make sure that we get compliance in a timely fashion,” said board chair Isiah Leggett. “We also try to work very carefully with all the jurisdictions that we are as responsive and responsible as possible to get to a positive outcome for everyone in terms of compliance. Unfortunately, there are some that are still not at that level and some are close to it, and so we need to at this point and time consistent with statutory requirements make some distinctions here.”

Each Maryland school system had to provide an implementation plan to the board, a government entity charged with overseeing the execution of the Blueprint. Baltimore City and Montgomery County haven’t provided all of the components of their implementation plans, according to the board, including Baltimore’s career ladder.

After multiple rounds of negotiations over specifics in the teacher career ladder, the Baltimore Teachers Union and the school system reached a stalemate ahead of a state deadline, and formal impasse papers were filed.

Earlier this year, a city schools spokesperson said the district would “build on the strengths and address the challenges of our previous career pathways while also meeting all Blueprint requirements.”

Board member Laura Stapleton said she was hopeful Baltimore City was on the path to approval.

“We understand that Baltimore City is at an impasse and that they’ve worked through it,” Stapleton said. “I am very hopeful they’ll be able to rectify it. And so even though this is about giving an official warning, I hope that it is seen that they are on the right path.”

Another board member complimented Baltimore for having a representative at the meeting to explain its position. Montgomery County did not have an official at the meeting.

Five other school systems — Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, Prince George’s and Talbot counties — also did not meet requirements from the board that would trigger the release of funds. Those districts have submitted all the required parts of the plans but have been asked to provide more information in some of the categories and did not receive warnings.

“AIB staff have reviewed initial and updated submissions and provided each (school system) with feedback and requests for revision/additional information necessary to be recommended for approval,” a statement from the board reads.

The districts have until Dec. 11 to submit updates to the board for the next round of consideration at its Dec. 19 meeting.

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