8% Special Education Cap Legislator Outreach Template

Email Subject: Please Urge the State Board to Retain the 8% Special Education Cap

Dear Senator/Delegate [Last Name],

I am writing as a public charter school leader to ask for your assistance regarding the State Board of Education’s review of the charter funding regulation, specifically the proposed removal of the 8% cap on the special education overage/adjustment.

I understand that Baltimore City Public Schools is urging the State Board to remove this cap. I respectfully ask that you not support that request and instead encourage the State Board to retain the cap.

The 8% cap was intentionally included as a guardrail, based on historical spending data, to prevent unlimited cost shifting onto charter schools. Importantly, Baltimore City’s own verified data does not support removing the cap. According to prior-year figures submitted through PSSAM and reviewed by the State, the district’s special education overage represents approximately 7.7% of total revenue, meaning the cap is not currently binding.

Removing the cap would not address a demonstrated funding shortfall. Instead, it would expose charter schools across Maryland to uncapped and unpredictable withholdings — on top of administrative fees and other deductions — despite the fact that charter schools receive no facilities funding and already operate at a structural disadvantage.

This is a statewide issue with long-term consequences. I respectfully ask that you communicate your support to not to remove the 8% cap to the Maryland State Board of Education by signing on to a coalition letter found here. Please add your name through this form no later than 5:00pm on January 15th, 2026.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. You can reach out to MAPCS at mckenzie@mdcharters.org. Thank you for your time and for your continued service to Maryland’s students and families.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Title / School]
[City, MD]