Office of Policy Analysis and Fiscal Compliance

The Office of Policy Analysis and Fiscal Compliance is responsible for the Department’s local education agency financial coordination and reporting (including MSDE oversight of local Maintenance of Effort). The office serves as MSDE liaison with the Department of Legislative Services (DLS) and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for related fiscal matters. This office coordinates high-level budget analyses and conducts and directs fiscal and policy analysis, including ad hoc reporting, while working closely with the Assistant State Superintendent of Financial Planning, Operations, and Strategy and the State Superintendent. The office provides technical assistance to internal and external program and fiscal staff regarding the fiscal implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future and other local financial reporting issues. The office supports the annual State aid formula calculations and deploying MSDE fiscal transparency efforts. The office also coordinates the Department’s fiscal note process, including drafting of fiscal-related legislative testimony. 

Local Financial Reporting Branch

The Local Finance Reporting Office in the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Office of Policy Analysis and Fiscal Compliance is primarily responsible for all local financial reporting. This includes providing training and technical assistance, reviewing submissions, preparing, and publishing reports. The office is regularly engaged in providing guidance to the twenty-four Maryland school systems’ staff regarding accounts classification and grants reporting procedures; assisting the school systems’ staff to ensure reporting deadlines are met; administering the usage of the Grant and Annual Financial Report System by providing training to users of the system; and compiling, reviewing, and publishing the annual Selected Financial Data on the MSDE website.

Specifically, the Office is responsible for the following annual LEA fiscal report items:

  • Local budget certification
  • 
Local Maintenance of Effort Certification 
  • Local Indirect Cost Rate Approval 
  • CAFR/AFR Reconciliation 
  • State Reports
    • Selected Financial Data
    • Ad hoc Grant Reports 
  • Federal Reports
    • F33
    • NPEFS 
    • FFATA Reporting
    • ESSA School-level Per-pupil Expenditure Reporting



Contact:

Donna Gunning
Senior Executive Director
Office of Policy Analysis and Fiscal Compliance
Office: (410) 767-0757
donna.gunning@maryland.gov

Joanne Killian
Program Manager
Local Accountability and Fiscal Compliance Office

Office: (410) 767-4044
joanne.killian@maryland.gov