The following message was emailed to staff from Interim Superintendent Dr. Monifa McKnight on Tuesday, May 10.
Dear MCPS Employees,
I am delighted to report that we have reached an agreement with our three employee associations— MCEA, MCAAP, SEIU—that offers substantial wage increases to all of you: our devoted and highly skilled teachers, supporting services professionals, administrators and other staff. These contracts were developed through collaborative partnership with our employee associations and recognize all that you do every day to provide an excellent education for every student.
Through resolve, flexibility, agility, you have been heroes to our community during unprecedented and challenging times. Over the last year, you have operated on virtual and hybrid platforms, before returning full-time to the classroom this school year. These new employee agreements recognize these efforts, and it is a privilege to provide you with the compensation and conditions that acknowledge your significant achievements.
I appreciate that these agreements have come about as the result of a very collaborative process that involved building a respectful relationship with our association partners, which is setting the groundwork for future discussions.
Highlights of the three agreements include:
- For all employees, a cost-of-living adjustment of 3.35% and step increases for those eligible, both to be applied in December of 2022.
- Significant effort to retain long-standing employees and system leaders by enhancing compensation for our leaders, incentivizing the deferral of retirement, and providing opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Earlier hiring of special education teachers and psychologists to be able to support learning as well as the social-emotional needs of students across the district.
Compensation increases maintain MCPS’s status as a premier destination for all employees. Our excellent workforce is necessary at this time because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our students’ academic and social-emotional health must and will continue to be a priority.
The work you are doing, is critical right now and inspires the three priorities that we will work together on moving forward:
- Building and rebuilding trust and transparency
- Providing mental health and wellness resources to students and staff and
- A renewed focus on equitable teaching and learning across the district.
Recognizing you in this way is a down payment in the future success of all students.
The three agreements go into effect on July 1. They demonstrate that MCPS continues to do its part to uphold Montgomery County’s broader commitment to public employees and keeps the district ahead of many employers throughout the state of Maryland and the nation.
Know someone who should work for MCPS? You can refer them here.
Sincerely,
Monifa McKnight, Ed.D.
Interim Superintendent of Schools
