Editor:
On Monday, Harford County Public Schools will hold a budget work session.
Since it is clear that cuts are both necessary and imminent, we need community members to attend and speak on behalf of our teachers and students. It is important that the impending cuts come first from the administrative bureaucracy before teaching positions are cut.
The Harford County Education Association [the teachers union] has consistently advocated for the elimination of the instructional facilitator position and the reduction of central office administration. Community members must come forward to voice your support for cutting positions outside the classroom before cutting teaching positions. It is also important that the Harford County Board of Education hear voices speaking in favor of fully funding the two step and 2 percent pay plan for teachers both this year and in subsequent years. We must stop the flight of underpaid and over-worked teachers from our schools.
Through hard work and advocacy, HCEA was able to negotiate a fair contract for our teachers. Now, we need you to speak out to make sure that the Harford County Board of Education creates a sustainable budget, which will provide funding for teachers' salaries, favorable working conditions for teachers and productive learning conditions for students.
Make your voice heard.
Ryan Burbey
President-HCEA