HoCo Teachers, School Board Agree on Contracts

After 43 hours of mediation over three days, the Howard County Educational Association reported Friday that it reached an agreement with the Howard County Board of Education to allow staff more planning time, personal leave and compensation in the coming school year, among many other perks.

“Educators asked for the time and resources they need to challenge and inspire their students and we worked very hard to turn their proposals into reality,” Paul Lemle, president of the Howard County Educational Association, said in a statement.

Among the terms agreed upon were improved planning time, one additional leave day, substitute coverage for teachers on field trips and the ability for to use leave without fear of repercussions for certificated staff (e.g., teachers, counselors, media specialists), according to the association.

Improvements for support staff (e.g., nurses, secretaries, paraprofessionals, health professionals) included bereavement flexibility, access to technology, special educators support group and collaboration time.

Both sets of staff got an additional personal leave day, 3 percent cost-of-living increase, health insurance, retirement options, step increase and other benefits, according to a statement from the educational association.

“Our employees are the backbone of this school system, and our ranking among the finest in the nation reflects their vital work,” Superintendent Renee A. Foose said in a statement. “I am committed to compensating all employees for their top-level skills and commitment to our students. I could not be more pleased that we have reached an agreement that recognizes our outstanding staff.”

In addition to the across-the-board enhancements, music teachers in elementary and middle schools will be given stipends for night concerts, and coaches and advisors will receive a 5 percent increase in stipend, the statement from the association said.

According to The Baltimore Sun, the Howard County Board of Education will ratify the agreement at its Sept. 11 meeting.

The agreement came after nine months of negotiations, WBAL reported.