Baltimore County teachers upset over latest no pay-raise vote
Members of the Baltimore County teachers union will be meeting tomorrow night to contemplate their response to a recent school board vote against a pay raise. Teachers are also planning to show up in full force at the next board meeting Oct. 7 to express their displeasure.
As I reported earlier this week, the board voted against accepting a mediation panel's recommendation to give teachers a 2 percent cost-of-living increase -- another step in an ongoing conflict that began with planning the budget for the current school year.
Cheryl Bost, the union president, said the group plans to discuss their possible responses tomorrow evening. She said teachers do understand the dire financial situation the whole country is in, and that we are facing tough times all around. But they also feel as though it's a question of budgeting priorities, she added.
Bost said she's gotten several e-mails from teachers saying they'll be leaving the county. She herself has expressed concerns about remaining competitive so people want to stay -- or come -- to BCPS.
"The irritations are mounting," she said.
Baltimoresun.com's 
Comments
This BCPSS teacher and BTU member stands in solidarity with the teachers of Baltimore County. Surely the county can find some fat to trim in order to give teachers, at least, the meager 2% wage
Posted by: avalon | September 25, 2008 6:57 PM
I left BCPS at the end of the 2007-2008 school year. This sort of garbage is NOT the primary reason I left -- but it had an impact.
BCPS does not, in the end, have the resources or desire to truly support its teachers. I am happier today where I am, and send my support to the teachers in BCPS.
Posted by: Mary | September 26, 2008 1:45 PM
What I find most offensive is the fact that the Board of Education added the item to their published meeting agenda and voted on it in a matter of seconds. The citizens of Baltimore County should have a school board that is up front and honest about its public actions. The back door way this current board does its business should be investigated by the Maryland State Department of Education and the Baltimore County Government.
These people are appointed by the governor to represent the community members the school system serves. This sneaky behavior is beneath a government agency, which the Baltimore County Public School system is.
Posted by: Not So New Teacher | September 26, 2008 6:59 PM
Part II
Not to mention, the superintendent and board president refused to meet with or return phone calls from the teachers association president shows how unwilling they are to support the teachers who go to work everyday and give their best to the 100,000 plus students who come to learn. They expect teachers to instill honesty and respect as character traits of these students but don’t demonstrate the same character traits as a board.
Posted by: Not So New Teacher | September 26, 2008 7:03 PM
Very disappointing! But, I agree with Mary, it is only one example of the disrespect and poor decision making on behalf of the current superintendent and the board. They seem to harbor great distain for the teachers in their county. A once amazing and exemplary school district is losing its way and thinking more of the personal gain of some adults than what is really best for our children.
Posted by: Aaron | September 27, 2008 4:14 PM