As the financial challenges grow to providing public education to Wicomico County children, associations representing the administrators, teachers and classified staff of Wicomico County Public Schools have stepped up to help ensure that available dollars can be spent in the classroom.
This spring, the members of the Wicomico County Education Association (WCEA) and the Association of Public Schools Administrators and Supervisors (APSAS) agreed to continue working under the terms of their existing contracts, without opening negotiations on a pay increase or any language changes. This marks the second consecutive year the members of APSAS have agreed to forgo formal contract negotiations. Wicomico is the only school system in the state in which cooperation of this magnitude is taking place.
“Teachers have recognized the impact the economy has had on the county’s budget as well as the education budget,” said Dave White, president of WCEA, which represents teachers. “While the funds are not there, public education must be there for the county to continue to grow and thrive into the future.”
The principals, assistant principals, other administrators and supervisors who are members of APSAS recognize the financial constraints the school system faces, said Bryan Ashby, WESPA president. “We wanted to be partners in a solution, to keep our relationship with the school system strong.”
The Wicomico Education Support Personnel Association (WESPA), which represents classified employees, sought minimal changes in language in the agreement for its members and did not receive a pay increase for Fiscal Year 2011-12.
For most employees of Wicomico Schools, the 2011-2012 school year will be the third straight year without a step increase or cost-of-living adjustment. In fact, due to recent legislative changes, employees will lose 2% of their pay this year as that amount shifts to cover the cost of administering the state retirement system, helping the state balance its budget. A 2% tax credit for teachers, to help offset the cost of classroom materials they purchase, will be unavailable after December.
“We are very appreciative of our associations working with us and understanding the constraints we are under. Over the past year, we have built a stronger relationship with all of the employee groups, and much greater respect for each others’ roles,” Board President L. Michelle Wright said. “I look forward to another good year of working together on behalf of students through difficult budget times.”
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
10 comments:
Where are all the people calling teachers overpaid and greedy now? This is proof.
Yep.
No mention of all the teachers in Wicomico County who have taken second and third jobs to make ends meet as a result either.
Oh Lord this is a FARCE. The only reason the unions say they support education is because they no there is no chance in hell of them getting a pay raise this year, last year or next year. They first three comments are obviously from the lawless teachers union.
Teachers are educated enough to understand that when there is no money there just is no money, and to ask for any kind of increase would be both greedy and foolish. Everyone is taking cuts tightening up and doing more with less and teachers are no different. The only difference is that that type of information is not news worthy, not inflammatory enough so this information will only be shared here among ourselves. I am proud of the teachers we have here they do a good job teaching everyone not just the rich and privileged.
Why have they received no paycuts like the rest of the world and county employees? Don't make yourselves sound like heroes. Nobody is receiving colas. Nowhere in this article is there anything that would make me think that teachers are not overpaid.
Didn't Jim Ireton used to be a union rep or spokesman or committee person for the teachers? Is he still? Is that a conflict of interest with being mayor and all the stuff he keeps trying to get for the BOE and Freddy?
Anyone who thinks teachers are overpaid ought to take a substituting job and see if he/she can get through one day. I respect the teachers and their union for not playing hardball and trying to get a raise or at least a COLA. As 4:17 points out, teachers are intelligent enough to understand that there is no money. Just to have a job these days is fortunate.
4:51 - do you have a clue? The major of the CITY government has virtually no say or infleunce over the COUNTY Board of Ed. Any one who thinks Ireton of all people has any pull anywhere... well, wow - what rock are you living under?!
I don't think teachers are overpaid. One thing that isn't said is how they have to continue their education so they can just KEEP their jobs, yet do not get the increase that should come with that accomplishment. Let's not forget that most of our teachers are very well educated and qualified and on the open market would be paid more. I give them credit for what they do every day. I also give them credit in understanding the circumstances. Do a search and see what starting wages are throughout the counties of MD. Many of our best teachers could leave and get increases at starting wages somewhere else. We just need to be careful that our most talented teachers don't leave the county, leaving the least talented or the "union mentality" teachers who won't do anything more than the minimum and hurt the education process even more. I'm not a teacher but do appreciate wheat they do!
Post a Comment