* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Henry
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
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Request for State Legislation - Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners - Baltimore City Council Confirmation of Appointments
FOR the purpose of respectfully requesting the Honorable Chairs and Members of the Baltimore City Senate and House Delegations to the 2012 Maryland General Assembly to sponsor and secure passage of legislation to require that nominations by the Governor and Mayor for persons to serve on the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners be confirmed by the Baltimore City Council.
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Recitals
In 1997, State legislation put into place a new City/State partnership in the governance of the Baltimore City Public School system in what State officials touted as a first step in addressing the fundamental problems within a system that consistently produced dismal academic performance, high absenteeism, and an appalling drop-out rate. The emergency departmental bill restructuring the management of Baltimore's public schools was contingent upon the State providing additional education funding to Baltimore and the State's 23 counties.
The management restructuring included replacing the existing board of school commissioners with a ten-member board appointed jointly by the Mayor and the Governor. The new board was given authority and responsibility for all functions relating to the public school system, including the establishment of a personnel system governing all employees and the adoption of regulations regarding school system procurement.
Under the provisions of the education partnership legislation, the 2002 General Assembly was required to deliberate and determine if the partnership should be terminated, modified, or extended. The result was the removal of "New" from the name of the Baltimore City of Board of Schools Commissioners, a requirement for the CEO to submit a new five-year master plan to the local board, by June 1, 2002, and a requirement for the local board to submit the plan to the State Board of Education by July 30, 2002, and to begin implementing the plan by August 30, 2002. The process for selecting the Board of School Commissioners remained unchanged, and the Board and CEO were still required to submit the schools' budget to the Mayor and City Council for approval.
Baltimore City has consistently maintained its fiscal commitment to Baltimore City Public Schools as exemplified in Highlights of the Preliminary Budget Plan: Better Schools - Fully funds the City's commitment to the Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPS). The City's Maintenance of Effort funding level increases by $1.8 million, to $201.3 million. City operating support for BCPS totals $276.9 million, including debt service on capital projects, retiree health benefits, and school crossing guards. The capital budget includes $16.6 million for school construction and renovation.
On May 12, 2011, in presenting an overview of the Baltimore City Public Schools' proposed budget for the 2011-12 fiscal year, the CEO stated: "As always, we approached our budget this year with a firm commitment to protecting funding for schools. Since FY 2009, when we shifted budgets and authority over those budgets from the district office to the schools, we have consistently worked to free up resources for schools - where the students are, and where local leaders know best what students need to succeed. . . .we cannot continue to cut the district office - especially as we adjust to meet schools' requests for greater support, and the district's responsibility to hold schools accountable to students, parents, and communities."
One of the best ways to hold schools and School Board members accountable is to share the responsibility for their appointment and tenure with those elected officials closest to the communities they serve - the members of the Baltimore City Council.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That this Body hereby respectfully requests the Honorable Chairs and Members of the Baltimore City Senate and House Delegations to the 2012 Maryland General Assembly to sponsor and secure passage of legislation to require that nominations by the Governor and Mayor for persons to serve on the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners be confirmed by the Baltimore City Council.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this Resolution be sent to the Honorable Members of the Baltimore City Senate and House Delegations to the Maryland General Assembly when it convenes the week of January 11, 2012.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Governor, the Honorable Chairs and Members of the Baltimore City Senate and House Delegations to the Maryland General Assembly, the Director of the Mayor's Office of State Relations, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
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