3 Actions to take around AACPS Contractor Positions

Hello,

I am deeply concerned about contracting firms hiring spec. ed. teachers without teaching certificates, no duties and responsibilities, and are being paid more than current Unit 1 staff. Our students deserve educators who are invested in AACPS and are members of our communities. We disagree with the decision by the Board of Education to seek contractors and hire external individuals outside our bargaining unit. Please show our educators the respect we deserve for our dedication to the county.

I am coming upon my 21st year in education for AACPS. I have been a faithful employee through step freezes, furlough days, changes of the pay scale, etc. I have a BA and a MS and only make $69 an hour before taxes. How can you hire contracted spec. ed. who only have to have a BA and not a teaching certificate for $101 an hour when a faithful staff member, who has two degrees, many years of teacher experience is making way less? This is a HUGE slap in the face of your faithful teachers who are unit 1 employees and don’t have a new negotiated agreement for this upcoming school year!

In a year when teachers can easily jump to another county due to teacher shortages, this isn’t the way to retain experienced teachers. Please cut this program, pink slip those you have already hired, and reinvest that money that you moved out of instructional salaries on 6/9 ($7.6 M) into current staff salaries, cut duties, and increase individual planning times. Please put your priorities in the right place and focus on your unit 1 staff who have been faithful to AACPS.

Sincerely,

Jill Grimm

Crofton MS