Hogan proposes $3.8B for school construction over 5 years

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Gov. Larry Hogan proposed allocating $3.8 billion for Maryland school construction over five years and a separate measure to increase accountability in academic performance during a news conference Thursday, as education funding is expected to be a top issue in the upcoming legislative session.

The Republican said his school construction proposal would be a record amount to cover all funding requests from Maryland's local school districts.

A separate proposal is aimed at giving local communities greater say over how to turn around failing schools. A local school board would create a committee to develop a plan, which could involve changes to curriculum, budget, schedule, staffing or professional development. The committee would be comprised of local residents with experience in education, youth development, management and finance.

“With both of these announcements today on record funding and these accountability measures, we are reaffirming our commitment to increased investment for our schools and classrooms, more accountability for parents, teachers and taxpayers and most importantly, better results for our children,” Hogan said.

The governor made the proposals about a month before the Maryland General Assembly gathers for its annual 90-day session. The legislature, which is controlled by Democrats, will be considering the first update to Maryland's education funding formula since 2002, as well as recommendations that include raising teacher salaries, expanding prekindergarten and steering more money to struggling schools.

While Hogan has expressed support for many of the commission's recommendations, he has criticized the panel and lawmakers for failing to identify how to pay for them. Implementing all of the commission's recommendations has been estimated to cost about $4 billion more...