May 8th, 2019 by WCBC Radio

The foundation for sweeping changes to Maryland’s educational system were approved by the General Assembly last month- the only hurdle remaining is how to pay for them. The vast majority of lawmakers agreed this session to a set of aspirational goals, teacher salary increases and the creation of an independent inspector general to review fraud, waste and abuse in public schools with the passage of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. The bill will enable the General Assembly to adopt new funding formulas and targeted changes to the state’s education system next session. State Senator George Edwards said the reforms  recommended by the Kirwan Commission are expected to cost $1.1 billion in the next three years- however there is no long range plan in place and no estimates as to how county’s will pay for the changes. Saying there is little appetite for implementing tax hikes- the time line for implementation may need to be moved back a few years…