Silver Chips: Teachers to renegotiate contract with MCPS

Recent concessions made to save county funds raise tensions


Warren Zhang, Managing News Editor and Ombudsman

With the 2008-2010 teachers union contract to expire soon, the Montgomery County Education Association (MCEA), the official teachers union for MCPS teachers, is set to renegotiate their contract with the MCPS Board of Education (BOE). However, recent dealings with MCPS have left some MCEA members unsatisfied and could affect the upcoming contract negotiations between the two groups, according to MCEA Vice President Christopher Lloyd...

...Additionally, the agreement made last school year with MCPS to not launch any new initiatives until the adjustments are brought back has since been questioned, according to Grossman. The definition of new MCPS initiative is, according to Grossman somewhat obscure. He specifically mentioned the "Seven Keys" program launched recently as a possible violation of the agreement.

As a result of the cancelation of the cost of living adjustment this year, less staff development time, a hiring freeze and the creation of new initiatives, some MCEA members are frustrated with the current situation with MCPS, according to Grossman...