How much additional money would the Prince Georges County Public Schools receive?
Over the six-year phase-in period, Prince George’s would receive an additional $956.6 million in state education aid. The school system received an extra $22.5 million in fiscal 2003 and $36.9 million this year. Increases in future years would be $108.5 million in fiscal 2005, $179.6 million in fiscal 2006, $258.7 million in fiscal 2007, and $350.4 million in fiscal 2008. On a per-pupil basis, state aid to Prince George’s County would more than double, from $3,921 in fiscal 2002 to $7,998 in fiscal 2008. At the end of this phase-in period, the county would receive more than 20 percent of all state education aid. Where does the money come from? Funding for the fiscal 2003 increase was provided, in part, by increasing the tobacco tax rate for cigarettes from 66 cents to $1 per pack. Revenues from the tax went into a special fund, with $80.5 million designated for the Bridge to Excellence in Public Schools Act. Beyond fiscal 2003, the act does not specify a source of funding for the incre
