Calvert teacher salary agreement not ratified

Union's vote on salary increase not clear

Friday, Aug. 21, 2009

The CEA, which represents Calvert County public school teachers, had initially reached a tentative decision with the Calvert County Board of Education to accept a 0.5-percent salary adjustment for all teachers for 2009-10, instead of the previously contracted 4.5 percent, CEA President Debbie Russ said at the time.

She also said that all eligible employees would continue to receive step increases and 30-year or more employees who are no longer eligible would receive a one-time 1.1 percent salary increase, mirroring the Calvert Association of Supervisors and Administrators agreement.

The contract ratification meeting for CEA members was held at Calvert High School in Prince Frederick on Wednesday evening, and according to Calvert County Board of Education President Eugene Karol, as of Thursday at noon an agreement had yet to be reached.

"I heard rumblings that they might turn it down," said Karol, who later said that the two groups were still working on an agreement and may release a joint statement later Thursday.

Russ did not return calls seeking comment by press time on Thursday, nor did CEA chief negotiator Joseph Sella or Calvert County Public School's Deputy Superintendent Robin Welsh, who led the board of education's negotiating team.

Calvert Country School teacher John Toohey, who was vocal at the initial 2010 fiscal year budget announcement in April, said that he was unable to attend Wednesday's meeting.

"I normally try to stay involved but I don't know what's going on now," he said.

Calvert Country School Principal Debbie Soper and Barstow Elementary School Principal Donna House both said they had yet to hear anything official either.

Initial salary negotiations between the Calvert County Board of Education's negotiation team and the two unions, the CEA and the Calvert Association of Educational Support Staff or CAESS, reached an impasse in May.

This occurred when Superintendent of Schools Jack Smith — who was unavailable for comment by early Thursday afternoon — added 90 previously cut positions back to the budget by budgeting for teachers and education support staff personnel to have a 0.5 percent salary adjustment, along with step increases based on longevity.

The 90 positions had initially been cut due to decreased state funding.

CAESS, however, was able to settle with the board of education in June, with members agreeing to a 0.5 percent salary adjustment; step increases; individual contributions for health insurance benefits remaining at the fiscal year 2009 contract level; and a one-time payment of 1 percent of support staff employees' base salary being paid to all of the association's most senior members.

The first day of school for students is scheduled for Tuesday.

As The Calvert Recorder receives updates on this story, they will be posted at www.SoMDNews.com.