Howard County teachers have a new contract, but the union says there is room for improvement

BALTIMORE – Teachers in Howard County have started the 2024-2025 school year with a new contract, but the teachers union believes there is still room for improvement.

Benjamin Schmitt, president of the Howard County Education Association, said the new contract has its positive aspects. It is a three-year contract that solidifies benefits and adds new protections.

The minimum salary was raised to $60,000, the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) was increased to 2.5%, and the pay scale for work experience was increased.

The salary increase is only valid for one year, which means the HCEA will soon be back at the negotiating table.

The Howard County Public School System announced in a press release that teachers can expect an average raise of nearly 5% in the new contract.

It is simply not the increase that the HCEA wanted.

“Our veterans who have been at the top end of the pay scale for over 25 years, they’re constantly just getting the COLA,” Schmitt said. “They’re not getting a (pay raise). This time, we’ve tried multiple times to get them an additional percentage at the top end in addition to the COLA, but there just hasn’t been an audience for it.”

Jen Mallo, chair of the Howard County Board of Education, said in a statement about the new contract: “Our teachers and staff are our system’s most important resources. I am grateful to the leaders in each of our bargaining units for their dedication.”

Despite concerns about the contract, Schmitt said HCPSS Superintendent Bill Barnes contributed to the mood by making guests at Barnes feel heard and included.

“He wants everyone at the school level to be part of this process, which is hugely important,” Schmitt said. “That’s a buy-in we haven’t had in a while.”

Schmitt believes that an inclusive approach like the one seen at Barnes could not only lead to a better contract, but also to overall better morale among teachers in the school district.

“There needs to be greater unification of what we need from the school system, not arguments about small parts of the budget,” said Schmitt. “I don’t think that will get us anywhere.”

To view the contract yourself, you can find it here.