As some Maryland teachers say workload and class sizes are driving them out of the profession and superintendents across the state report staff shortages have gotten worse during the pandemic, two pieces of legislation aim to give teachers a stronger voice and provide pay raises to staff who support educators.
From bus drivers and cafeteria workers to classroom assistants, people who work in school systems are becoming harder to hold on to.
“It’s no longer that you’re just competing with local education systems, you’re competing with everyone because of the great resignation,” Service Employees International Union Local 500 President Pia Morrison said.
It’s part of the reason there’s a Maryland Senate bill proposing a $500 bonus for support staff this year and next year. Currently, most of these workers earn less than $35,000 a year.
“There shouldn’t be a public sector job in this country, and particularly in K-12 education, that is not a family-sustaining job, and that is a real crisis right now,” Morrison said.
