Joe Hairston should be given a raise that is proportionate to the one the county plans to give to the teachers. No increase for teachers, no increase for anyone in the system. Where is the logic in providing him with a pay raise?

Joe Hairston gets paid very well, and his salary is comparable to that of other County Superintendents (I believe -- correct me if I am wrong).

Hi Mary,
The data I have --- which is from the 2006-2007 school year --- shows Hairston's salary of $262,500 is the highest of any superintendent in the state. The Prince George's County superintendent's salary is listed as $260,000 and Charles County's superintendent's salary is listed as $249,000. Montgomery County's superintendent is paid $236,843.

Again, these numbers are from the 2006-2007 school year. And I'm pretty sure they don't include fringe benefits, such as car allowances and such.

--- Gina

Joe Hairston does not deserve a raise if he can't see to it that the teachers receive raises. Next year, due to the 1% additional contribution to the new pension plan, my husband and I will be taking home a total of 2% less each pay. We have both been in the county for quite a few years and are at a step in the payscale in which there is no step increase for us next year. This seems absolutely ridiculous given the fact we both have Masters degrees +60 credits. Even more disturbing is the fact that these are tough economic times. How can Joe Hairston ask anyone to take home less money next year????

Dr. Hairston does not deserve a raise! He does not think teachers deserve a raise for all of the hard work we do each year to bring up the test scores which make him look good.
Until teachers make a comparable salary, he does not deserve any more money!

Dr. Hairston sees no problem in essentially biting the hand that feeds him, as he has decided not to include salary increases for very deserving teachers next year. Therefore, he certainly is not deserving of a raise himself.

Dr. Hairston has said that times are tough and therefore he could not put in his budget that there be a salary increase for the employees, those in the trenches. As he negotiates his new contract with the Board of Education it would be hard to believe if he is not asking for any additional money for his salary.

First of all he is the highest paid superintendent in the entire state, yet we are not the largest school system in the state. How ironic that when it comes to his salary the Board of Education and him have ensured that he ranks 1 out of 24. However the teachers in the county begin at 7th in the state but a 14 year teacher ranks 19 out of 24. Something is wrong.

The board should be publicly chastised if they approve a contract that includes any type of pay raise whether it be in base salary or in any bonuses. If the superintendent cannot accept a contract that is the status quo just like he is proposing for the teachers, then he should be sent packing.

We need to go back to the history of education in MD. One of the reasons that Baltimore City got into the dire straights that it is now, is because their salaries lagged behind surrounding counties, but yet the administration was very well paid. It looks like Baltimore County may be headed toward the same fate if the superintendent is given a raise but the employees are made to suffer.

I find it quite distasteful that teachers are seen as mere individuals who have little impact within the school system. Are teachers not the system? Who else is going to provide students with the knowledge they need in order to grow? What is the Superintendent doing? What is the County Executive doing? They are not going into work to ensure quality education and structure for hundreds of students everyday. They are not working after hours in order to prepare enriching lessons for the students in our county. Working in a high school I see more and more how dysfunctional and unmotivated students are in school, which makes the job ten times harder. It is actually frightening to imagine what would happen if our county loses wonderful educators simply because people in charge are too money hungry and selfish to think about those who rightfully deserve to be on the top of the totem pole; after all, TEACHERS are who WORK with children day to day face to face. I am assuming the folks in control do not care that about quality education. In my opinion I see that Baltimore County will be overloaded with miscreants who are not in the least bit interested in learning or growing as intellectuals. At that point it will be too late to correct mistakes. I want to greatly thank Governor O'Malley, Executive Smith and Dr.Hairston for making me feel appreciated and proud that I had chosen education as my career. Mind you, I am a second year teacher, very new to the field and already is seeking for a new profession due to the under-recognition of teachers. We have bills too that need to be paid as well as families. I did not know that after four years of college and a bachelors degree, that I would have to work part-time in addition to my career as teacher to survive. We are not asking for a million dollar salary. We are only asking for a fair pay where providing for our family and self is not an issue. My check is just not enough for additional living expenses after all the bills are paid.

What has Joe Hairston done to deserve a raise? He has been incredibly silent on all of the important issues that face Baltimre County Schools.
First of all he was too afraid of the county executive that he would not put a raise for teachers in his budget for next year. A true leader would have backed up his teachers. You have adeptly sidestepped your responsibility to lead as you often do and let Jim Smith take the heat.

Where were you Joe?
The night that the budget was voted on Joe Hairston was absent from the Board of Education meeting. If it had been important to you, you would have been there.

Where were you, Joe?
The parents of students in the Towson area and Ridge Ruxton were looking for your leadership to come up with a solution that would resolve the overcrowing of the schools. Again you have been silent and have let Jim Smith take the heat for that one also.

Where were you, Joe?
The 3 schools in the southwestern part of the county which have not made AYP are looking for a leader. Instead all they have gotten are empty words and blame. Thanks for passing the buck on that one also.

Where were you Joe?
When a member of your staff was allowed to publicly chastise Board of Education memberws during an open Board meeting you sat and said nothing. You did not even attempt to stop the tirade no matter which group the staff member was speaking for.
Where were you Joe? When the Board of Education renewed your contract you were right there looking for a raise and enhanced bonuses or you would have made the fact that you would not get a raise just like the other veteran educators in the county.
That speaks volumes.

It is 10:00 at night on April 8th. I have just returned home from the monthly Baltimore County Board of Education meeting. I have so much anger and animosity towards the Board of Education, minus Donna Flynn and John Hayden. A raise for Dr. Joe Hairston has been approved, although NOT with 100% support from the Board members.
SHAME ON YOU!
I find it very hard to believe that a man with a salary of $262,500 needs a raise in such "hard, economic times." The Board of Education justified this raise by stating "it is the same percentage of increase teachers receive for steps. It seems that if Hairston would be getting the same percentage of a step increase that SOME teachers are receiving, it would be approximately $5,200. (I am sure that is not the amount he is receiving.) I say SOME teachers because many experienced, highly qualified teachers are on a step that is frozen equaling NO raise at all. If a teacher with 30 years experience, and a masters degree can't receive an increase, why should our superintendent? If Dr. Hairston truly supports and "respects" his teachers in the 3rd richest county of the first richest state, then he should not have requested or accepted a raise for this school year.
SHAME ON YOU!
I have lost respect for the man who sat, without expression, in the Board meeting, staring at teachers who filled the room to standing room only. I have lost respect for the man who did not take the time to even acknowledge his teachers. I have lost respect for a man and a Board of Education who were scared enough to let our elected (not for long!) COunty Exectutive bypass negotiations, bypass teachers and other government workers, ALL the WHILE filling your own coiffers!!!
SHAME ON YOU.
Our union is NOT threatening. We have been respectful. We have been taking it in the face for several years, watching as other counties around us are attracting and KEEPING quality teachers with their pay scales. We are doing our jobs as outlined. It is the government who has shirked the responsibility of taking care of their most important resource - teachers.
SHAME ON YOU!
To Joy Shillman and President of the Board JoAnn Murphy: I wish more people of the public were present to hear your condescending tones, and complete disrespect towards the professional teachers in the room. You would not be where you are without the help of teachers in your lives.

Joe Hairston was recently referred to as a "Rockstar Superintendent." The data doesn't support it! Take a look at his school system. Good schools are becoming mediocre. Slowly the schools and students are being smothered by programs that Joe believes make a difference. He has pushed for a total focus on reading and math as if all the other content areas don't make a difference for our children. How awful! As a parent I can't stand the thought of sending my child to school in Baltimore County. Programs??? It's not about programs. It's about people, stupid! Joe Hairston, you denied teachers a cost of living increase in order to provide programs. Who implements those programs? The teachers. I can't blame the teachers for working to rule, but I do wish this would all come to an end soon by giving them what they deserve. Speaking of which...Does Joe really need $8,000 more dollars on top of his $262,500 salary? It seems to me he missed his opportunity to be great or to be a "Rockstar Superintendent" when he accepted a pay raise while his teachers received none. Perhaps his "Rockstar" ego has gotten in the way.

It certainly seems that Joe Hairston has a lot to answer for...I hope that the press will look into what is happening in BCPS. The real story is not being told as people fear the regime.