Maryland

State Public Education Department: Maryland State Department of Education

State Average Per Pupil Funding: $13,075

Charter Support Organizations: Maryland Alliance of Public Charter Schools

Year Charter Law Enacted: 2003

2020 Model Law Ranking: 45

Estimated Number of Charter Schools: 51

Estimated Number of Charter Students: 25,194

If, with the approval of the state superintendent of education, a county school board determines that a school site or building no longer is needed for school purposes and after the county commissioners or county council have provided required notice, Maryland law requires county school boards to notify public charter schools about school sites and buildings available for occupation and use on terms determined by the county school board. However, the law does not give charter schools the right of first refusal to purchase or lease these sites or buildings at or below fair market value. Maryland law provides that charter schools are eligible for tax-exempt debt from the Maryland Industrial Development Financing Authority, but they are not backed by the full faith and credit of the State of Maryland.
The Maryland Health and Higher Educational Facilities Authority (MHHEFA) issues tax-exempt debt for facilities projects on behalf of nonprofit educational and health care institutions. MHHEFA’s total bond financing on behalf of charter schools is approximately $29 million to date.
Charter schools may apply for bond financing through various county and municipal industrial development authorities in Maryland.
The Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO) was founded in 1984 to promote employment, business activity and economic development in the state. MEDCO issues debt on behalf of business incubators, tourism projects, manufacturing projects, higher education projects and nonprofit organizations, including charter schools.
According to the law, any portion of a building or property occupied and used by a public charter school shall be exempt from property taxes under state law for the duration of the occupation and use of the building or property as a public charter school.