Howard County Board Of Education And Howard County Education Association Reach 2-year Tentative Agreement

March 2nd, 2016

The Howard County Board of Education has reached a tentative agreement with the Howard County Education Association (HCEA) for wages, hours and working conditions during the next two school years (2016–17 and 2017–18).

Tentative agreements are ratified by the Board of Education and HCEA, which represents almost 5,000 certificated employees in the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS), including teachers, pupil personnel workers, psychologists, related service providers and counselors. HCEA’s voting will begin March 9 and conclude by March 22.

“The Board of Education’s priority is meeting the needs of all students and employees,” said Board Chairman Christine E. O’Connor. “It is the reason we increased the budget to meet the needs of our growing student population, and to support our school system as a whole.”

The tentative agreement ensures HCPSS employees are well compensated and have an agreement that is competitive in the state and region. The agreement is structured over two years to establish more consistent steps, increases to make up for a lost step in 2010, and increases in career earnings potential.

“This agreement is focused on improving teaching and learning by increasing compensation for our excellent teachers,” said HCPSS Superintendent of Schools Renee A. Foose. “It is supported by the Board’s budget proposal, which meets the system’s needs to prepare all students for college and careers, and includes raises for all employees, prekindergarten expansion, increases in funding for students with special needs and sustained support for gifted learners.”

The Board of Education adopted its FY 2017 budget last month and submitted its request to the County for funding.

“We believe HCEA has a deep responsibility to Howard County, so we will invite our educators, parents and community groups to contact the county executive and advocate for the budget that makes this agreement possible,” Paul Lemle, HCEA president, said.