Statement from Council President on His Historic Bill to Improve Public Education Moving a Step Closer to Final Passage

I would like to thank my City Council colleagues for standing with me and Councilman James Kraft (1st District) by voting in favor of our proposed legislation to improve public education in Baltimore City.

Our bill, a charter amendment to create a non-lapsing fund supporting quality schools, will not solely solve the financial problems facing the Baltimore City Public School System, but it is a huge step in the right direction and will provide us with additional tools to help our children develop intellectually and succeed academically.

Baltimore City, according to a study of alternative financing by the school system, would need about $2.8 billion to adequately improve school facilities. Our legislation (City Council bill 10-0631, Charter Amendment – Non-lapsing Funds for Quality Schools – Reinvesting in our Youth) would help to fix this daunting problem.

My hope is that passage of this legislation will also help the parents of our students. How many times have parents had to take off from work when their child’s school closed early on a particularly hot day due to a lack of air conditioning? These unnecessary closures disrupt our children’s academic studies and threaten parents’ ability to provide for their families.

Every year during budget season, we are forced to re-evaluate the city’s funding priorities. My charter amendment will help the council fight to ensure that our children are Baltimore’s top priority.

Council President Young’s proposed education charter amendment will appear on third reader on Monday, June 13. If approved, the bill would go to the mayor for signature and appear on the ballot during the November 8 general election.