A deal is reached to give thousands of Baltimore County Public Schools employees raises this year. Baltimore County government and school district leaders announced the compensation package Tuesday after weeks of clashes over funding sources.

“Working together, we have reached an agreement on a substantial compensation package for BCPS employees for the 2022-2023 school year,” said Superintendent Dr. Darryl Williams outside of West Towson Elementary School.

The agreement includes a three percent cost of living adjustment (COLA) retroactive to July 1, a mid-year step increase for all employees retroactive to the beginning of the fiscal year, and retention bonuses for all staff.

Williams said additional bonuses will be paid to district employees with more than 30 years of service.

Both County government and BCPS leadership touted the agreement as a win for the district.

“Giving our staff the compensation they truly deserve, and we would love to give more,” said County Council Chairman Julian Jones.

Baltimore County Board of Education Chair Julie Henn referred to the deal as a “competitive compensation package.”

Meanwhile, the Teachers Association of Baltimore County (TABCO) was more blunt in its reaction Tuesday morning, as the original proposal called for five years worth of pay increases.

“This is not what we originally asked for; we all know that,” said TABCO President Cindy Sexton. “But through the advocacy of our members, we have more than doubled the initial offer that was on the table.”

Williams said the one-year compensation plan is worth approximately $76 million dollars.

The funding comes from existing budget surplus money, American Rescue Plan ESSER money, and redirected money in the district’s existing budget.

“These are wins,” said Williams. “It’s a small win, but it’s a win in the right direction, and we still have more work to do.”

Beyond this fiscal year, no specifics were shared on funding sources for increased employee pay, though Williams indicated it will be part of yearly budget discussions.

This fiscal year, BCPS is operating with a $2.3 billion dollar budget.

In recent weeks, County Executive Johnny Olszewski tasked the district with finding money to fund employee raises within its own budget, as he said he would not support a tax increase for Baltimore County residents.

On Tuesday, FOX45 News asked Olszewski if residents will see a tax increase to fund any of these initiatives in the coming years.

“That’s the beautiful thing about this package is that it is fiscally responsible and it is sustainable while still putting tens of millions of dollars in the pockets of our hardworking educators,” Olszewski said.

Meanwhile, TABCO says its advocacy for educators will continue.

“Because our members stood up, showed up, wore their red, wrote their letters, that is a win for them,” said Sexton. “But we are not finished.”

Details about the amount and when retention bonuses will be paid have not been shared.