For Planning Purposes: May 6, 2019

Contact: Joshua Harris [email protected]

Prince George’s County Educators Launch Teacher Un-Appreciation Day

In Response to Public School Contract Negotiations Educators Aim to Shine Light on Lack of Investment in County Public Schools

Prince George’s County, MD: Over the past decade, Prince George’s County educators have been put on the back burner by PGCPS and undervalued. Tuesday is National Teacher Appreciation Day, and on Wednesday we go back to being underpaid and unappreciated by the school district like every other day of the year. PGCEA and PGCPS are in the midst of contract negotiations for teachers and certified instructional staff. The school district is refusing to invest in teacher retention. PGCEA is launching this initiative to highlight the need to retain our highly trained professional educators. Prince George’s County Educators’ Association released the following statement:

“Our children deserve to have the best teachers retained in our County. The school district loses 1,200 to 1,500 educators each year but continues to be unwilling to invest in the retention of qualified, well trained educators. PGCPS has continued to undervalue teacher contributions to the public school system in Prince George’s County, so we are showing them that we will no longer stand for it and launching the first-ever Teacher Un-appreciation Day,” said Prince George’s County Educators’ Association President Theresa Mitchell Dudley. “There are nearly 6,000 educators who are behind on pay scale due to lost steps over the years that PGCPS has consistently underfunded our classrooms. If they appreciate educators, don’t say it on one day or one week, show it year around by making the investment.”

WHO: Prince George’s County Educators’ Association

WHAT: Hold Protest and Teacher Un-Appreciation Day Rally and Protest

WHEN: Wednesday, May 8, 2019

WHERE: Prince George’s County Public Schools (Specific locations will be released at 8 am Wednesday)

TIME: 3:30                  

WHY and BACKGROUND:

The Board of Education:

• REJECTED PGCEA’s proposal to restore lost salary steps. Step restoral is not included in the Board’s salary proposals.
• REJECTED PGCEA’s proposal for increased planning time for educators.
• WILL NOT commit to ensuring co-taught classes are assigned both a general educator and a special educator.

If you would like to more information or to request an interview with PGCEA President Theresa Dudley, contact Joshua Harris  [email protected]