In fiscal 2008, the 22 charter schools operating in Baltimore will be allotted $8,415 per student ? more than last year, but still less than the estimated $11,000-per-pupil allotment given to traditional public schools, according to a new funding formula.
The Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners approved the formula Tuesday night. It does not factor in special education and Title One money, which lower the per-pupil allotment.
The formula is based on a model used by Frederick County and approved by the Maryland State Board of Education, said Charlene Boston, the interim chief executive officer for the city schools.
“It?s a fair model,” she said.
The city is appealing a Maryland State Board of Education decision ordering the schools to pay the same amount of money per pupil in charter and traditional schools, arguing that the $11,000 allotment includes “duplicate” funds, such as already-paid-for administrative and building maintenance costs, that waste taxpayer money.
The new formula approved Tuesday night subtracts Title One and special education funding from the school?s total revenue source and divides it by the total amount of students projected for enrollment in charter schools. In fiscal 2008, 5,200 charter school students will be enrolled in the system, said Laura Weeldreyer, coordinator of New and Charter Schools for the Baltimore City School Public Schools.
All commissioners present at Tuesday?s meeting voted in favor of the formula except Commissioner George VanHook.
Examiner Staff Writer Luke Broadwater contributed to this report.
