8 counties seek waivers on school funding requirements

Eight Maryland counties including Montgomery and Prince George’s have asked the State Board of Education to give them a pass on mandatory school funding because of an influx of federal dollars.

State law requires counties to increase funding to schools each year based on factors such as higher enrollments, independent of dollars coming in from state and federal sources. But in dire budgetary times, counties can petition for a waiver. And the promise of extra federal money helps their case.