A visible fight for education funding
The Maryland State Teachers Association held a press conference at North Avenue yesterday to lobby against any state funding cuts to education. It was an interesting choice of locations, since Baltimore has the only one of the state's 24 teachers unions that doesn't belong to MSTA, an affiliate of the National Education Association. The Baltimore Teachers Union is an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers. While a BTU representative did speak at the event, neither of its two presidents -- Marietta English and Lorretta Johnson -- was there. Were they feeling slighted? In any case, MSTA spokesman Dan Kaufman told me the state group wanted to have the event in the state's most visible district, to recognize the recent improvements in city schools and to put Dr. Alonso's name behind its cause. What do you know? The Baltimore school district is becoming a hot commodity.
In her remarks, MSTA President Clara Floyd noted that the teachers union lobbied hard to get slots passed -- and it expects the promised funding for education in return.
Categories: Around the Region, Baltimore City
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Comments
Good news for Baltimore City at least. The big groups believe they need the City's influence to gain message-traction.
I still think it's a shame that the Unions supported slots. What a backwards way to raise revenues. The slots industry really won out this year, that's for sure.
Sara, what happened to everyone on Inside Ed? I feel like the commentators have decreased significantly?
Posted by: Bill | November 18, 2008 7:20 PM
Bill,
I agree that the comments have increased in number and I believe a large part has to do with the fact that most of the news lately really doesn't push anyone's "hot" buttons. It is difficult to be writing much about AYP language and videos created by young students other than to say "That's nice."
Posted by: vetern teacher | November 18, 2008 9:20 PM
Vet: Maybe it's just that we are all really busy:-) Or that everyone (except a chosen few) agree with me:-)
Keep those comments coming - I like to mix things up.
Posted by: Interesting Observations | November 18, 2008 10:21 PM
Bill, you're not intrigued by our conversation on charter/transformation/neighborhood school funding? You feel that crazy and incompetent teachers should have total job security? That stuff is riveting!
Perhaps I should start talking about violence and felonies at my school to drum up more conversation?
Posted by: Corey | November 19, 2008 9:31 AM
Veteran teacher (and everyone else out there): Tell us what issues do push your "hot buttons" and we'd love to write about them.
Posted by: Sara Neufeld | November 19, 2008 10:19 AM