Maryland educators, advocates to rally in Annapolis tonight
Educators from around Maryland will take to Lawyer's Mall tonight to continue putting the pressure on lawmakers to fully fund education next year by maintaining the state's Thornton funding formula, and restoring millions to area school districts.
The Maryland State Education Association has organized the "Rally to Keep the Promise," along with educators and advocates across the state. The rally will take place at 6.m. Among the speakers for tonight is "Thornton" himself-- Dr. Alvin Thornton, Chair of the Maryland State Thornton Commission, Associate Provost for Public Affairs at Howard University
The Baltimore Teachers Union will join other groups to also oppose any plans to freeze pensions, or shift teacher pension costs to local districts. While this could be what helps restore the funding to school districts, the union said its not an expense that Baltimore city can afford. You can read the BTU's flyer for their cause here. A bus will leave from Polytechnic Institute and the BTU headquarters tonight.
Baltimoresun.com's 
Comments
Was the reason there was not story on the BEC rally because it was poorly attended? Am I worng in thinking that the "parents" should have waited and gone with the "teachers" If the adults can't get it together, the children are doomed.
Posted by: OverTheTop | March 14, 2011 9:36 PM
I am a parent and I was there with the teachers. I spoke to a lot of parents and teachers who are parents. So you cant say parents didnt go.
Posted by: Tanya | March 15, 2011 11:43 AM
Actually, the Baltimore Education Coalition rally was huge, for a single jurisdiction. We estimate 1700 attended, which is about three times the number last year. So far as I can tell, it was the largest rally of folks from Baltimore on any issue. The BEC rally was planned prior to the education/union rally so hopefully the two work together to send a strong message to the General Assembly and Governor to restore education cuts and reject the idea of shifting teacher pension costs to local school systems. If you weren't there this year, join us next year-- the crowd was spirited, Dr. Thornton was inspirational, and the students, teachers, and parents who spoke were united for our children!
Posted by: Bebe Verdery | March 15, 2011 9:12 PM
Thanks for your insight Bebe but I wonder why one would call a 2% rally a success. I could understand if the BEC rally had gone off as planned but once it was delayed, it would seem purdent to coordinate with the MSTA rally. I wonder about this go it alone attitude. Prince Georges had theirs, Baltimore showed up. Oh well, it looks like it worked and higher fees are coming to pay for it.
It is interesting that you would mention next year. How long has this been going on and is there ever an end to it? When will it be "mission accomplished" or is this just another version of the annual beg-fest?
Posted by: OverTheTop | March 16, 2011 7:10 AM
Where was the coverage on the huge rally in Annapolis on Monday? The coverage that I saw gave as much time to the few "pig people" (tea partiers dressed as pigs to cast aspersions on us for wanting a decent pension system) as they did to the many thousands of teachers and other state employees who traveled across the state to stand up for what was promised to us. The media fell down on the job with this one. By the way, after spending 5 hours in travel time and rally time, I went home and spent another 2 hours on lesson plans--this is the "gravy" job of a teacher. There isn't enough money in the state (or local) coffers to even begin to pay teachers for the actual amount of time they work after hours...so how about a reasonable pension after 30 years plus of this kind of service?!
Posted by: Veteran educator | March 16, 2011 10:40 PM