MCPS TEACHERS ‘SPEAK OUT’ AGAINST BOE CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS
As the Montgomery County Public Schools’ Board of Education met Thursday afternoon, teachers voiced concerns surrounding failed collective bargaining agreement negotiations at a simultaneous “speak out.”
The Montgomery County Education Association — the county teachers’ union — and the school board couldn’t reach an agreement on a new contract despite months of discussion and a one-month extension, so the Maryland Public School Labor Relations Board is stepping in to mediate.
Teachers discussed what issues they’re continuing to fight for during Thursday’s virtual panel, which mainly centered around increased transparency and improved support for minority and low-income students.
“In this time of national social upheaval and awakening to the need for urgent action, we are gravely disappointed that MCPS has rejected our earnest efforts to address systemic inequities in our schools,” said Jennifer Martin, MCEA’s vice president.
School-level decisions are usually made without staff and community input, according to Springbrook High School social studies teacher Dustin Jeter — especially when it comes to distributing instructional materials, allocating staff members and addressing environmental concerns.
“MCPS would like to sweep the ugly truths of how it operates out of sight,” Jeter said, “but MCEA will continue to fight because we need more transparency.”..
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