From our friends in Support our Schools – KCPS Parents Page 7/9/21
https://www.facebook.com/groups/kentcountyschooldistrictparents/permalink/2626408834335290
Citing the most recent MD state financial report comparing counties., here are some key takeaways from the over 300-page report (linked at the end – page numbers are printed at the bottom of each item). Financial data are from fiscal year ending June 30, 2019:
- Kent County is DEAD LAST in per capita spending on education. That means that less of every tax dollar you pay goes to your kids’ education than if you lived literally anywhere else in MD. (page 286)
- Kent County is 3rd from the bottom in percentage of county spending directed to education. The two districts below us receive more state and federal support than we do. (page 276)
- Over five years from 2015-2019, Kent County spending increased by 0.2%. The state average increase in county spending on education was 3.0%.
- We remain the only county on the shore that has not broken ground on a new school building in a decade.
We just finished a budget season that included a member of our county commission talking about how they need to “suck it up” regarding our kiddos having to do without. They also purposely stated that they were not fulfilling the full budget request because they are afraid the state will force them to realign their priorities due to the recent passing of the Blueprint for MD’s Future. Passing the Blueprint was a big win for students in our schools but the fight isn’t over. We’ll begin to see the positive impact of more resources in the coming years, but we need to stay vigilant to make sure our county does its part and that our state legislators make sure we aren’t forgotten in future legislative sessions. Here is a link to the report: http://dls.maryland.gov/…/Local_Government_Finances_FY…