Teachers in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, will see larger paychecks under a new budget approved by the school board Tuesday night. The board is adding nearly $42 million to the $1.4 billion spending plan.
Teachers wanted bigger raises. The budget, which still needs final approval by the Anne Arundel County Council, also includes money for adding 19 positions to address the social and emotional needs of students.
The school board added seven school counselors, seven school psychologists and five social workers. To fund those additional positions, the board cut the number of teachers requested for class-size reduction from 129 to 100.
In addition, the school board approved several building projects, including nearly $76 million for a new high school in Severn, and the eventual replacement of three elementary schools.
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The majority of teachers in Anne Arundel County return to classrooms Wednesday while students start the in-person hybrid plan on March 1. But teachers at a protest Tuesday night said it s all happening too fast.
Anne Arundel County teachers wanted no doubt they were heard loud and clear. Dozens of them circled the Board Of Education Building in protest of heading back to classrooms Wednesday. I live with someone who is immunocompromised and I m concerned about all the things that I m bringing home,” said teacher Allison Heinz.
“It feels a bit rushed to get back in the buildings before all of those questions are answered,” said teacher Alyson Bradford.