New 3-Year Contract Ratified By Prince George’s County Educators’ Association Members

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — A majority of members of the Prince George’s County Educators’ Association voted to ratify a new 3-year contract with the Prince George’s County Public Schools. With 99 percent of voting members in support, the agreement addresses challenges stemming from the pandemic as well as the current educator staffing crisis.

The new agreement includes increased lesson planning time and funds for school supplies that will help educators deliver lessons tailored to individual student needs.

“Securing the tools and resources we need to bolster our students’ success has been the primary focus for Prince George’s County educators, and this agreement lays the foundation to help us move our school communities from pandemic to promise and deliver a world-class education to all PGCPS students,” said PGCEA President Dr. Donna Christy. “This agreement is an important step toward building our vision for our students. It reflects the creative thinking and innovation that our members bring to their schools every day."

Highlights of the agreement include:

• Increased Planning Time - Educators will have more time available to them to plan lessons for students.
• Planning Time Improvements - Planning time will be more focused with fewer other responsibilities during this time, and collaborative planning requirements were clarified. This will support educator retention by creating time to do lesson planning during the work day.
• Increased Pay for Certifications - Qualifying national board-certified teachers will receive an extra $13,000 yearly in pay and educators with other qualifying national certifications will receive an extra $4,000.

• Funds for Classroom Supplies - Educators will have $100 per year to pay for classroom supplies. During historic inflation, this recognition of costs that have often come out of dedicated teachers’ own pockets will also help ease their burden.

• Tuition Reimbursement Increase - The funds available for educators to receive tuition reimbursements will double, seeing a $139 increase for up to $550 per credit.

• Substitute Pay Improvements - Pay for substitute teachers will increase from $18 to $30 an hour, increasing to $32 in the second year of the contract and $34 in the third.

• Longer Contracts for Counselors & Pupil Personnel Workers - School counselors and pupil personnel workers will have 11-month contracts.