Dear Colleagues,  

As a bargaining team, our goal was to complete bargaining by November 1, 2024, but we were unable to do so. We are close to the finish line but aren’t quite there yet. We still need to agree on planning time autonomy and the ability to file grievances against supervisors in cases of discrimination, harassment, and bullying when the MCPS administrative procedures fail to justly resolve complaints.  

“Educators know that planning time is an important part of effective teaching and learning. Research consistently shows that providing teachers with dedicated, autonomous planning time can lead to substantial improvements in student engagement, motivation, and academic achievement, resulting in a more personalized learning experience. It increases teacher job satisfaction and retention, enhances collegial collaboration, and improves instructional quality. When educators have the autonomy to plan effectively, it benefits both students and teachers.” - Joan Mory, MCEA Bargaining Team Member

Good news:

1. We reached a tentative agreement on step increases for all eligible members on July 1 each year.

2. We are close to a tentative agreement on COLA increases in fiscal years 2026 and 2027 of 3.25% each school year.

Check out our November 14, 2024, bargaining proposals below:

We’re so close to the finish line. We need to work together to let the MCPS Board of Education know that our voices matter and that we need planning time autonomy and the right to file grievances against supervisors in cases of discrimination, harassment, and bullying.

Please tell the Board of Education to urge their bargaining team to get to an agreement that:

1. Minimizes micromanagement of planning time, and  

2. Gives us the ability, through the grievance procedure, to hold supervisors accountable who engage in bullying, harassment, and/or discrimination.  

In Solidarity,

MCEA Reopener Negotiation Team Coordinating Committee

Jessica Conter, Chair (Resource Counselor, Quince Orchard HS)

Dustin Jeter, MCEA Secretary (Social Studies Teacher, Blake HS)

Kember Kane, MCEA Treasurer (Kindergarten Teacher, Westover ES)

Heather Carroll-Fisher, Lead Negotiator (MCEA Executive Director)