Provisional Salary Agreement Reached Between Teachers Association of Baltimore County And Public Schools

BALTIMORE COUNTY - After a prolonged negotiation about teacher pay scales, the Teachers Association of Baltimore County (TABCO) and the county's public education system have finally reached a provisional agreement for the next academic year.

The proposed contract outlines a new salary scale for Baltimore County Public Schools teachers, set to commence on July 1. While the union's representatives have already cast their votes for the agreement, it will also require approval from TABCO's general members to be ratified.

The new salary structure for teachers will vary based on their level of education and whether they receive pay over a 10-month or 12-month period. Those on a 12-month payroll plan with bachelor's degrees will receive a basic salary of $69,615, marking an increase of 4.9% to 6.5%, depending on their hiring date.

According to the agreement, the aim for fiscal 2025, beginning July 1, 2024, is to negotiate a minimum three-year wage agreement and to decrease the salary scale to 25 or fewer steps.

In a press release, Cindy Sexton, President of TABCO, stated that the contract finally enables BCPS to compete with neighboring school systems.

Kelly Olds, TABCO's bargaining team chair, noted that negotiating for a "fairer and shorter pay scale" took four years. She emphasized the impact of the delay on students and educators but expressed pride in the final outcome.

"That is way too long, especially when you consider who is feeling the impact of the delay — students and educators," Olds said. "But I'm proud of where we've landed, especially because future educators will be able to look back at what we did and know that TABCO was fighting for them."

The proposed agreement comes one month before Superintendent Darryl L. Williams's departure from the system. The board has chosen current Deputy Superintendent Myriam Yarbrough as his replacement for the forthcoming school year.

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