LEONARDTOWN, MD – On February 23, 2024, tentative four-year agreements were reached between the Board of Education’s negotiating team and the Education Association of St. Mary’s County (EASMC) for certificated employees and education support staff. The agreements provide for the following.

 

• In compliance with the statutory requirements of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future:

• • Implementation of a career ladder for certificated staff

  • A minimum unconditionally certificated teacher starting salary of $60,500

• Annual salary improvement for all bargaining unit employees

• Annual step progression on the salary scales for each year of the agreement

• Salary scale adjustments each year of the agreement

• Enhancements to course tuition reimbursement, including an additional incentive for teachers to pursue their master’s degree

• Compensation incentive for certificated classroom teachers pursuing their National Board Certification

• Compensation incentive for certificated teachers to transfer to our Blueprint schools: George Washington Carver Elementary School, Spring Ridge Middle School, and Great Mills High School

 

Dr. J. Scott Smith, Superintendent of Schools, commented, “This agreement implements the required Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Career Ladder for teachers, moving us toward a more competitive and fair pay scale for our teachers and support staff. The agreement invests in the professional growth of our employees. A four-year agreement allows us to forecast costs and budget accordingly so we can meet our future commitments. For our staff, knowing what they will earn for the next four years is reassuring and something people who work with children deserve.”

 

Ms. Liz Purcell Leskinen, MSEA UniServ Director and EASMC Chief Negotiator, stated, “EASMC’s extremely engaged and committed Negotiations Committee members volunteered nearly a year of preparation for bargaining, and it paid off. EASMC and SMCPS shared a fair and respectful process based on the needs and interests expressed by our members, considering limited resources. This agreement supports the local implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, including highly qualified and motivated educators and support professionals, to ensure every student equal access to a great education.”