Baltimore teacher pay lags rest of state; organization wants to close police, community divide

Baltimore City Public Schools, teachers union must work to revamp compensation

As we look forward to the second half of our school year, Baltimore City school staff, the Baltimore Teachers Union and Baltimore City Public Schools need to work on an overhaul of teacher salaries and the teacher evaluation process. According to data from the Maryland State Department of Education, the salaries of Baltimore City teachers with master’s degrees became the lowest among Maryland jurisdictions in 2020. Starting salaries for Baltimore teachers now rank at No. 20 out of 24 school districts.

After working in Baltimore City Schools in the 1990s, I left to teach in school districts in the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia and other Maryland jurisdictions. When I returned in 2011, I was dumbfounded by the compensation system in Baltimore. I had taken an almost $20,000 annual salary decrease to come back and teach in Baltimore City.

Fast forward 11 years, and Baltimore City Schools started the 2022/2023 school year short of 600-700 teachers. Baltimore City teachers have been leaving the school system after realizing they could make more money with potentially less stress in neighboring and nearby school districts. School districts across Maryland have not only increased salaries, they have also provided bonuses during the pandemic. This has not been the case in Baltimore City. No bonuses. No salary increases. Just more demands.

I know some might ask why Baltimore City teachers and school staff should receive a salary increase when test scores remain abysmal. Despite what the local TV news reports and doesn’t report, many wonderful accomplishments occur in Baltimore City schools. It should be noted that schools, everywhere in the U.S., cannot alone solve all the ills of society. The notion that education is the great American equalizer is the exception, not the rule. Teachers alone cannot fix multi-generational poverty, systemic racism, multi-generational substance abuse, loss of fair wages, housing and rental inequities and lack of quality day care.

Under the current compensation system in Baltimore City, teachers must spend an inordinate amount of time proving they are doing their jobs instead of teaching students. This is absurd and wasteful. We are professionals, and at the very least, should be treated and compensated as such.

Alice Gregg, Baltimore

Advocacy group wants to close divide between community members, police

Baltimore ended 2022 with more than 300 homicides, marking the eighth consecutive year it has surpassed that grim milestone. At the Race for Peace Committee, we believe solutions to address this unacceptable violence start with bringing a range of constituencies together. Our 501(c)3 nonprofit organization was formed in 2016 to enrich the lives of residents in all communities through programs, resources and activities for families. We strive to establish understanding between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

The main goals are ongoing and continuous dialogue between communities and the police, mentoring youth and promoting excellence in police officer training. An example of our work will be organizing events in which young people, seniors and other community members can have positive interactions with police officers working in our city. We seek to help close the divide between the police and some in our neighborhoods.

The committee will work to deliver on reachable goals and solutions that support peace. For more information, visit our website, raceforpeace.org.

Alim Howell, Baltimore

More From The Banner

The developer of Harborplace bought 128 rowhomes in East Baltimore

One Baltimore County developer is pouring big money into local politics

Larry Lucchino, visionary behind Camden Yards construction, dies at 78

Dundalk was a steel town. When the Key Bridge fell, so did its legacy.