A 2002 law prohibiting Maryland counties from decreasing funds year-to-year for public school systems may save Montgomery County classrooms from the deep gouges expected in Fairfax.
For years, the two districts have been compared more for their similarities than their differences — both have long-standing reputations for wealth and academic excellence. But as county budgets have shrunken during the economic downturn, Maryland’s laws are proving more gentle, and the funding gap between the districts is widening.
In Montgomery, Jerry Weast’s budget proposal of more than $2.2 billion for next school year amounts to almost $16,000 per student. Fairfax Superintendent Jack Dale’s almost $2.3 billion proposal amounts to only about $13,000 per student. In 2004, both districts had per-pupil spending closer to $10,000. Both proposals need to be approved by the school boards and the county leadership, where they likely will be pared down.
Weast’s proposal would fund a school system operating as it has this year. No new programs would be introduced, but neither would class sizes increase or activities be taken away. Dale’s proposal creates larger class sizes, an end to freshman sports, and the loss of 600 staff and teaching positions.
Virginia does not have a “maintenance of effort” law, as Maryland does. That means that the Fairfax Board of Supervisors — the schools’ funder — is under no requirement to give the district the same amount of money it had last year.
Also, Virginia counties have far less taxing authority than do Maryland counties. So while Montgomery can “piggyback” on the state’s income tax and collect some for their own coffers when times are especially tight, Fairfax must rely almost solely on sinking real estate taxes.
Fairfax is planning to lose about $60 million for schools because of Gov. Tim Kaine’s proposal to hold steady state funds directed at counties hit by hard times financially.
Michael Molloy, who lobbies state lawmakers on behalf of Fairfax public schools, said that the priority going into the legislative session this month is “to minimize the damage for everyone” by regaining the lost $60 million, for example, or expanding the county’s taxing authority.
For Montgomery schools, one goal is to make it through the legislative session without lawmakers changing the maintenance of effort requirement.
“As much as some on the council and the county executive have complained about it, it is protecting education and children,” said Montgomery school board President Pat O’Neill.
