ELC, along with National School Boards Association, the Campaign for Fiscal Equity in New York, and the Rural School and Community Trust, has filed an amicus brief with the Maryland Supreme Court in support of a court action to ensure adequate funding for Baltimore public school children.

The amicus brief, written by the Washington office of the Wilmer, Cutler law firm, urges the Maryland high court to reject the attorney general’s argument that the Maryland court’s lack authority – or jurisdiction – to even decide a case involving inequitable school funding under the Maryland constitution.

In recent years, plaintiffs have sued successfully in 23 states to overturn unequal school funding schemes, losing in only 5 states. In each instance, the state tries to keep the courts from hearing the case in the first instance – the same issue before the Maryland Supreme Court.

"ELC was asked to join in this brief because of our expertise in successfully litigating the landmark Abbott school funding case, and because of our efforts to assist colleagues in other states who are litigating these difficult issues," said David G. Sciarra, ELC Executive Director and Abbott counsel.

"We are honored to participate in this collaborative effort," he added. "This brief provides an up-to-date survey of the school funding rulings, and we hope it will be useful as these issues arise in other states.

Prepared: January 25, 2005