Baltimore Education Coalition to Rally Against State Funding Cuts

The Baltimore Education Coalition is trying to rally community organizations to protest state funding cuts to city schools.

On Feb. 28 the group is holding a rally at the State House in Annapolis to help convince lawmakers to fight against cuts in funding to city schools. The coalition has arranged for 40 buses to take protesters from every legislative district in the city.

“We need a united Baltimore [General Assembly] delegation to stand together for our schools,” said Karen DeCamp, who is helping to organize efforts in the 43rd Legislative District.

According to figures from the Baltimore Education Coalition, the budget proposed by Gov. Martin O’Malley would cut $15 million from Baltimore City Public Schools.

The coalition states that such cuts could result in the loss of after -school programs, a loss of one to three teachers or school staff in each school and increased class sizes.

The group is also rallying against a proposal that would lower per-pupil funding and would require a change to the school funding law known as “Thornton.” The change in the law would mean the lower per-pupil amount would continue in future years, according to the coalition.

DeCamp argued that Baltimore City schools are at a disadvantage to many other surrounding districts because they don't have the tax base to make up for cuts in state funds.

She said schools such as , which President Barack Obama singled out for a visit Monday, have far better resources than city schools.

“Our kids do not have adequate resources for education,” DeCamp said.

To reserve a bus for the rally—buses will leave the city at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 28—the coalition is asking groups to sign up on their website.