Schools, teachers’ reach pact
Two-year deal increases entry-level salaries, adds other provisions
Howard County school officials and the county teacher’s union have announced a two-year pact that revises educators’ salary scales.
According to a release from the school system, the deal will increase entry level salaries for 10-month teachers with a bachelor’s degree to $48,519 for the 2019-2020 school year and $50,000 for 2020-21.
The minimum for a teacher with a bachelor’s degree in the 2017-2018 school year was $47,802, according to school officials.
By comparison, the starting minimum for teachers with similar credentials was $46,974 in Baltimore County for 2017-2018; $44,889 for Carroll County; $45,891 in Anne Arundel; $49,013 in Montgomery County and $47,781 in Prince George’s County, all according to a teacher salary schedule from the Maryland Department of Education.
In addition, under the new pact, employees of long tenure in Howard County whose salaries exceed the top step in the current scale will see an increase in earnings in each year of the agreement.
Employees governed by the educational support professionals union also will see wage increases during both years.
School officials said funding for the agreements is included in the system’s budget plan for the coming fiscal year, which Superintendent Michael Martirano presented to the Board of Education on Dec. 18.
The budget noted the need for additional staff development and training as the system expects student population to grow by 850 in the coming year. The budget also predicts that “significant annual enrollment growth will continue for the next several years.”
The school board is expected to ratify the agreement during an upcoming meeting.
Officials said other provisions of the pact include a streamlined process for employees seeking voluntary transfers and an opportunity for potential employees to meet with administrators for face-to-face interviews during some job fairs.
Martirano said in the news release that he was “pleased that we were able to collaborate in providing additional compensation and supports for the talented and dedicated individuals whom we entrust with our students’ education and care.”
Martirano called the system’s educators and staff “the strength of our great system,” and said, “In order to take care of 58,000 children, we must take care of our staff who take care of them.”
Colleen Morris, president of the Howard County Education Association teachers union praised the negotiation process, calling it “an atmosphere of respect and collaboration.” jjoyner@baltsun.com
According to a release from the school system, the deal will increase entry level salaries for 10-month teachers with a bachelor’s degree to $48,519 for the 2019-2020 school year and $50,000 for 2020-21.
The minimum for a teacher with a bachelor’s degree in the 2017-2018 school year was $47,802, according to school officials.
By comparison, the starting minimum for teachers with similar credentials was $46,974 in Baltimore County for 2017-2018; $44,889 for Carroll County; $45,891 in Anne Arundel; $49,013 in Montgomery County and $47,781 in Prince George’s County, all according to a teacher salary schedule from the Maryland Department of Education.
In addition, under the new pact, employees of long tenure in Howard County whose salaries exceed the top step in the current scale will see an increase in earnings in each year of the agreement.
Employees governed by the educational support professionals union also will see wage increases during both years.
School officials said funding for the agreements is included in the system’s budget plan for the coming fiscal year, which Superintendent Michael Martirano presented to the Board of Education on Dec. 18.
The budget noted the need for additional staff development and training as the system expects student population to grow by 850 in the coming year. The budget also predicts that “significant annual enrollment growth will continue for the next several years.”
The school board is expected to ratify the agreement during an upcoming meeting.
Officials said other provisions of the pact include a streamlined process for employees seeking voluntary transfers and an opportunity for potential employees to meet with administrators for face-to-face interviews during some job fairs.
Martirano said in the news release that he was “pleased that we were able to collaborate in providing additional compensation and supports for the talented and dedicated individuals whom we entrust with our students’ education and care.”
Martirano called the system’s educators and staff “the strength of our great system,” and said, “In order to take care of 58,000 children, we must take care of our staff who take care of them.”
Colleen Morris, president of the Howard County Education Association teachers union praised the negotiation process, calling it “an atmosphere of respect and collaboration.” jjoyner@baltsun.com
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