School employees deserve higher pay

There was an uprising in Annapolis three weeks ago. There was no media coverage, no public outcry and no megaphones. But approximately 150 employees of the Anne Arundel County Board of Education gathered at a meeting to voice their great disappointment and frustration with the board's decision to not grant a small salary enhancement to their already sub-standard paychecks.

The Secretaries and Assistants Association of Anne Arundel County (SAAAAC) spent the last year trying to negotiate a contract that would reward the employees they represent with the addition of an another "step" to their salary scale. Over two-thirds of these employees are currently "topped-out" at step ten.

Many of the employees who convened at Annapolis High School voiced their opinions concerning the board's view of them as "second-class" employees. Others stated they were not being compensated for extra hours worked, hours required to complete all their assigned duties.

Job descriptions have changed, while their income has not.

Instructional assistants are required to substitute teach, while their contractual agreement forbids this practice. Technology assistants' job statements now more closely resemble those of network engineers.

While the teachers, maintenance workers and administrative staff have received the very same additional salary enhancements that SAAAAC has been unable to obtain for its employees, the board's decision to not fund this increase comes as no surprise to the many dedicated and committed secretaries, teacher's aides and other educational support professionals.

Considered by many to be the backbone of the school system, this sector of employees has historically been the lowest-paid throughout the system.

And many workers are outraged at this blatant attempt by their employer to further their decline down the salary ladder.

More than a handful expressed their intention to seek employment in the private sector, where their skills will be more appreciated and will also offer lucrative compensation.

SAAAAC cannot accept the current offer from the Anne Arundel School Board. The projected cost of adding one additional step to the salary scale of these employees is somewhere around $360,000. The operating costs of the entire Anne Arundel County Board of Education is approximately $60 million.

Dr. Eric Smith has received nothing but accolades and positive media coverage since filling the position of Superintendent of Anne Arundel County Schools in July.

Granted, the superintendent has many responsibilities, but don't those responsibilities include overseeing a fair and equitable compensation package for all employees.

At the front office desks of every school sit the women who answer the phones; handle problems with teachers, parents, administrators and students; complete payroll and attendance records; order all the materials for the school; learn complicated computer programs, then learn new ones; the list goes on and on.

Don't they deserve recognition for their dedication to the education of the county's children?

Isn't it time for the board to recognize the substantial contribution made by the almost 1,500 employees devoted to making sure the very organization responsible for their paychecks runs smoothly?

Michael Carrington

Annapolis

The writer works for the Maryland State Teachers Association and is a consultant for SAAAAC.

Shame on those opposed to safety bill

On Oct. 21, a resolution was submitted to the county council by Councilman Daniel Klosterman. The resolution proposed a plan for the protection of the children and teachers of Anne Arundel County while attending school.

The program is titled "The Preemptive School Safety Program." And the program is designed simply to implement safeguards at schools such as two-way communication equipment providing instant communication to authorities. It also provides for specialized instruction to our children and teachers on how to stay safe and what to do should a dangerous situation occur.

I believe the council members that voted against discussing this resolution should give the people of Anne Arundel County the opportunity to be interactive with their chosen representatives. That is their responsibility.

Beverly A. Sass

Linthicum