BCPS To Reconsider Promised Pay Raises Amid Budget Strains

Baltimore County Public Schools officials are reconsidering planned salary increases for staff, despite a prior commitment from Superintendent Myriam Rogers during her first year in office.

In an email sent to parents Monday evening, Rogers announced that the school system will reopen compensation negotiations with all five of its employee unions, which represent the district’s 20,000 workers—including teachers, principals, and custodial staff.

A school district spokesperson confirmed that raises are still being considered for the upcoming school year but emphasized that any increases will depend on what is financially feasible.

The decision is disappointing to union leaders like Cindy Sexton, president of the Teachers Association of Baltimore County. She noted that the original three-year agreement, negotiated in 2023, was expected to guarantee predictable pay increases and help with teacher retention.

“Everyone knew the agreement spanned three years,” Sexton said, adding that both the school district and county had time to plan for the associated costs.

Under that deal, all employees received a 1% raise this school year, with 5% raises scheduled for each of the next two years. The contract also boosted starting teacher salaries by more than $5,500, making new teachers in Baltimore County some of the highest paid in Maryland. Still, the county’s average teacher salary of $84,300 remains slightly below the state average of $87,409.

Since the agreement was signed, the district has faced rising costs, anticipated federal funding cuts, and uncertain state aid. The $61 million set aside for staff compensation is now the most expensive line item in the school system’s nearly $3 billion proposed budget.

Rogers requested a 10.4% funding increase from the county government to support the school budget, but County Executive Kathy Klausmeier instead approved a 3.5% increase.

“We worked closely with Superintendent Rogers to ensure that every student has access to a quality education,” Klausmeier said in a statement, “and will continue to support our hardworking educators and support staff.”

In response to the funding shortfall, Rogers said the district has already taken cost-cutting measures. These include eliminating some central office supervisory roles, extending a hiring freeze for non-school positions, cutting $14 million from supply and materials funding, and trimming departmental budgets.

The County Council will review and finalize the county budget in May. Until then, Rogers said she plans to continue advocating for additional support for Baltimore County Public Schools and its staff.

Baltimore County Schools Reconsider Promised Pay Raises Amid Budget Strains  was originally published on r1wolbbaltimore.staging.go.ione.nyc