— As president of the Garrett County Education Association, representing more than 400 dedicated education employees here in Garrett County, I feel the need to address some concerns about the role of GCEA that have surfaced recently in with respect to fiscal crisis facing our school system. There are two basic misconceptions that need to be put to rest.
The first is that GCEA has in some way been a stumbling block or impediment in confronting the crisis our schools and communities are facing. Nothing could be further from the truth.
GCEA members stood side by side with members of the community in calling on the state General Assembly to pass Sen. Edwards’ and Delegate Beitzel’s loss limitation provision that would have prevented a massive cut in state education funding.
Our members testified in Annapolis twice for that measure, made hundreds of phone calls and sent hundreds of emails to support our delegation’s efforts to limit the state cuts to education funding.
GCEA members and their colleagues from across the state have partnered with other concerned community organizations and applied enough pressure to convince the governor to call a special session of the General Assembly where that loss limitation measure can be reconsidered. Our members take this action on top of what they already do for our students every day.
The second misconception is that employees of the Board of Education received any real raise in recent history. Those employees have received one step in the past four years and no cost of living adjustments and will receive neither again this year.
Our educators have forgone raises that were promised them for what will now be three of the last four years. As a result of the proposed layoffs, our members could see an increased workload with no increase in compensation.
When the two percent increase in pension contributions from last year is factored in, our members have in fact seen a reduction in their overall compensation.
The members and leadership of GCEA are realistic about the severe fiscal situation our county is in. Contrary to what has been portrayed by some, however, our members have made deep and very painful sacrifices. Our members have done their part for our students, schools and communities and will continue to do so.
We would ask that you join GCEA in acting to protect our schools by calling on our General Assembly to include the loss limitation measure for Garrett County in their budget proceedings in the upcoming special session so that we do not have to face the closure of our schools and layoffs of our dedicated education staff.
You can learn more by going to www.marylandeducators.org.
Kim Sanders, president
Garrett County Education Association
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