Howard County Teacher Salaries Increase for the 2024–2025 School Year

July 16th, 2024

Howard County teachers will receive an average salary increase of 4.7% through salary scale and cost-of-living increases for the 2024-2025 school year as ratified in the master agreement between the Howard County Education Association (HCEA) and the Board of Education at its June 20 meeting. Based on current salary scales, the salary increase for some teachers will be as high as 5.9% while those already at the top of the scale will receive the cost-of-living increase of 2.25%.

The Board of Education also ratified agreements with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and the Howard County Association of Supervisors and Administrators (HCASA) certificated and non-certificated units at its July 11 meeting. The financial agreements reached across all three labor partners total $33 million.

HCEA represents certificated teachers and ESP (Educational Support Professional) employees who serve the system in a non-supervisory role. AFSCME represents permanent custodial, maintenance, grounds and warehouse employees. HCASA represents all certificated administrators, leadership interns and supervisors, as well as non-certificated supervisory employees. Highlights for all agreements are provided below.

“Our teachers and staff are the most important resources we have in our system, and I am so pleased that we were able to collectively demonstrate the high priority we place on their financial security and wellbeing,” said Jennifer Swickard Mallo, Board of Education Chair. “I appreciate the leaders in each of our bargaining units for their advocacy of staff and collaboration with system leadership throughout this process.”

“I am very pleased that we were able to come to agreement with each of our labor partners on behalf of the important teachers and staff who do the important work for our students,” said William J. Barnes, Superintendent, Howard County Public School System. “I look forward to working with the leaders in each bargaining unit in the coming year to ensure long-term security and recognition for all those who power the wonderful education system we have in Howard County.”

Additional Master Agreement Highlights

HCEA & HCEA-ESP:

• Three-year agreement on language.
• Codifies the transfer process for certificated teachers. (HCEA)
• Codifies placement on salary scale procedures. (HCEA-ESP)
• Outlines memorandum of understanding regarding providing technology to paraprofessionals. (HCEA-ESP)
• Provides requested training to teachers in student physical behavior intervention (e.g. de-escalation training, restraint training).
• Allows for an ES/MS Theatre Director Stipend.

AFSCME:

• Two-year agreement on language.
• Increases premium pay for reporting for inclement weather, other emergencies, holidays and weekends.
• Increases annual leave from 12 to 15 days for AFSCME employees with one year of service and adds other types of leave such as extended illness and sick family member leave.
• Adds reimbursement for work-related certifications and professional development.
• Allows employees to use annual, personal, and sick leave beginning with .5-hour increments.

HCASA & HCASA-NCS:

• Revamps annual leave payout and increase of cashout to a 403b (HCASA).
• Allows employees to use annual, personal, and sick leave beginning with .5-hour increments.