MSDE HQ budget scrutiny centers on Maryland LEADS spending and staffing vacancies
February 08, 2024 | Education, Business and Administration Subcommittee, Budget and Taxation Committee, SENATE, SENATE, Committees, Legislative, Maryland
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The subcommittee heard a detailed review of the Maryland State Department of Education headquarters budget and associated program oversight, with two themes drawing particular attention: federal stimulus spending through the Maryland LEADS initiative and persistent staffing vacancies that agency staff and union representatives say are delaying services.
Department of Legislative Services analyst Laura Hyde outlined the MSDE headquarters picture, reporting a net decrease of $11,100,000 (2.9%) in the FY25 headquarters budget to $373,100,000 and noting a mix of net increases in personnel offset by decreases in federal funds. Hyde said DLS remains concerned about the pace and targeting of Maryland LEADS (federal American Rescue Plan funds) and recommended committee narrative and reporting to track SEA discretionary stimulus spending and LEADS outcomes. Hyde also noted high encumbrances in FY23 and recommended a Joint Chairmen's Report (JCR) closeout report on obligations and liquidation.
Krishna Tulloo, deputy superintendent for finance and operations at MSDE (speaking for Interim State Superintendent Carrie Wright), described department priorities including literacy and workforce initiatives, agreed MSDE would provide requested reports, and said the department has reduced vacancies from a higher level to 96 vacancies as of December 2023, a roughly 13% reduction since July 2022. Tulloo said MSDE is monitoring vacancy savings and will make repurposing decisions in the spring if necessary.
Two AFSCME witnesses from MSDE headquarters testified during the hearing about the operational consequences of vacancies. Jamiesha Fawcett Williams, president of AFSCME Local 3644 and a vocational rehabilitation specialist, said, "Every school in the state of Maryland should have a DORS representative," and described counselors carrying excessive caseloads and doing outreach on their own time. Phyllis Coleman, who works in MSDE finance and operations, said the accounts payable section is understaffed and urged converting contractual positions to merit positions because training can take about a year.
Senator Benson and committee members asked for specifics about the LEADS program and the staffing shortfalls; MSDE pledged to provide more detailed information on LEADS participation and spending and to return to the committee. DLS recommended committee narrative and reports on accounting practices, federal stimulus spending, and Maryland LEADS.
No formal votes were recorded at the hearing; the department agreed to provide follow-up materials and written responses to the committee’s questions.
Department of Legislative Services analyst Laura Hyde outlined the MSDE headquarters picture, reporting a net decrease of $11,100,000 (2.9%) in the FY25 headquarters budget to $373,100,000 and noting a mix of net increases in personnel offset by decreases in federal funds. Hyde said DLS remains concerned about the pace and targeting of Maryland LEADS (federal American Rescue Plan funds) and recommended committee narrative and reporting to track SEA discretionary stimulus spending and LEADS outcomes. Hyde also noted high encumbrances in FY23 and recommended a Joint Chairmen's Report (JCR) closeout report on obligations and liquidation.
Krishna Tulloo, deputy superintendent for finance and operations at MSDE (speaking for Interim State Superintendent Carrie Wright), described department priorities including literacy and workforce initiatives, agreed MSDE would provide requested reports, and said the department has reduced vacancies from a higher level to 96 vacancies as of December 2023, a roughly 13% reduction since July 2022. Tulloo said MSDE is monitoring vacancy savings and will make repurposing decisions in the spring if necessary.
Two AFSCME witnesses from MSDE headquarters testified during the hearing about the operational consequences of vacancies. Jamiesha Fawcett Williams, president of AFSCME Local 3644 and a vocational rehabilitation specialist, said, "Every school in the state of Maryland should have a DORS representative," and described counselors carrying excessive caseloads and doing outreach on their own time. Phyllis Coleman, who works in MSDE finance and operations, said the accounts payable section is understaffed and urged converting contractual positions to merit positions because training can take about a year.
Senator Benson and committee members asked for specifics about the LEADS program and the staffing shortfalls; MSDE pledged to provide more detailed information on LEADS participation and spending and to return to the committee. DLS recommended committee narrative and reports on accounting practices, federal stimulus spending, and Maryland LEADS.
No formal votes were recorded at the hearing; the department agreed to provide follow-up materials and written responses to the committee’s questions.
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