As superintendent of St. Mary’s public schools, Scott Smith wears many hats, and April 10 at the board of education meeting in Leonardtown he added another.
To celebrate the signing of the negotiated agreement between the Education Association of St. Mary’s County and Education Support Professionals and his “patience” during negotiations, EASMC President Sarah Penrod gifted Smith a handmade crocheted hat with a unicorn horn in keeping with the “rainbows and unicorns” theme that allegedly occurred during the closed-door negotiations.
Penrod explained that Smith was always positive during negotiations and that school board member Karin Bailey joked about him always being “rainbows and unicorns,” which became a running joke through the bargaining process.
“This is just a lovely piece of work,” Smith said. “I’m going to cherish this.”
Penrod said she wanted to thank Smith for “working with us so positively over the last year.”
Negotiations began last November and a total of 13 sessions were held to hammer out employees’ contracts before both sides reached a tentative agreement on the four-year agreement.
EASMC voted 95% in favor of the contract, which is in line with the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, the state’s education reform plan.
“When two different parties enter a room with respect and understand that they will both need to compromise,” Smith said, “the results are inspirational. And it is rainbows and unicorns.”
Under the terms of the agreement, the minimum unconditional starting teacher’s salary will be $60,500 for certificated educators. It is currently $52,500.
After all certificated employees, including teachers, are placed on the new, higher paid scale next fiscal year, certificated employees will receive 2% pay raises in each of fiscal years 2026, 2027 and 2028. Education support staff will get a 1% raises in fiscal 2025 and 2026, and 2% raises in fiscal years 2027 and 2028.
In addition, step raises are included for all employees each of the next four fiscal years.
There is also be the implementation of a career ladder for certificated staff and enhancements to course tuition reimbursement, including an additional incentive for teachers to pursue a master’s degree.
There is also a compensation incentive for certificated classroom teachers who decide to pursue their National Board certification, as well as a compensation incentive for certificated teachers who transfer to one of the county’s Blueprint schools, which are George Washington Carver Elementary, Spring Ridge Middle and Great Mills High.
School calendar revisedThe board of education voted to move the end of the school year for students back to June 7.
The school system has five inclement weather days built into the school calendar — two as holidays in February and April, and three at the end of the year. No inclement weather days were used this year.
“This is your reward for not getting any snow day,” Smith said.
Program of studies reinstatedThe board collaborated with the College of Southern Maryland to develop a memorandum of understanding to reinstate 13 approved dual enrollment courses for the 2025 school year that had been removed back in February.
Tuition costs for students that are designated as meeting “college and career readiness” standards or are economically disadvantaged will be funded by the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, the state’s education reform plan, and buses will take students to CSM’s Leonardtown campus.
“This is fabulous,” student school board member Lillian Kibler said. “A lot of students were really disappointed to feel that this was being taken away from the underclassmen so thank you for being so resourceful.”
Surveillance cameras contract OK’dThe school board gave the go-ahead to Ark Systems Inc. of Video Management Security enhancement software and hardware utilizing Howard County Public Schools Contract in the amount of $731,271.05, and Avigilon Video Surveillance Cameras in the amount of $567,096.
Member Dorothy Andrews voted against the contract because she said it was too expensive.
Free food offered at hearingSt. Mary’s Association of Supervisors and Administrators and EASMC will be offering free food while supplies last beginning at 5 p.m. before the public hearing on the county’s fiscal 2025 budget set for Tuesday, April 23, at Great Mills High School.
Supporters are encouraged to wear red to support public education.
Most Popular
Comments / 0