TAAAC News

PRESS RELEASE: 3 Early Dismissal Days Announced


Nov 11, 2021

Following Superintendent Dr. George Arlotto’s press release supporting three early dismissal days as a means of alleviating educator workload, TAAAC President Russell Leone released the following statement:

“Dr. Arlotto’s recommendation for three early release days to provide educators with time to focus on individual wellness is a start toward addressing the immense workload educators have
faced this year. While this is a small positive sign, it is unacceptable that the union was not consulted and that the BOE continues to insist on Impasse where they look to increase demands
on educator work time. Yes, it is a positive sign that our voices are finally being heard in a real way but what is recommended is insufficient and late. The health and well-being of teachers
should be accounted for without pushing us to rally and raise the alarm in other ways.

In fact, this recent announcement reflects some of what we have been suggesting for months.

Educators across Anne Arundel County will continue taking our own steps in the two weeks leading to the Thanksgiving break to enforce our contract, focusing our off-duty evening hours
on our families. As we have been advocating for months, there are creative solutions to support AACPS educators that are imperative to successful and healthy school environments.

Many counties throughout Maryland have addressed workload in additional and more comprehensive ways, by offering stipends where educators must take on work and activities
outside their workday obligations. Including TAAAC leadership input and voice from the onset when decisions are made about working conditions is what the other counties do and would be
the best way for us to collectively support our profession and our students’ success here in Anne Arundel.

Hopefully, the AACPS Board of Education will continue to listen, begin to consult, and understand the voice of TAAAC elected leaders is crucial to solving issues going forward.”

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