The Board of Education of Anne Arundel County today released this statement following a news conference held by the Teacher’s Association of Anne Arundel County:
“The school system believes that working together with our students, teachers, staff, and stakeholders is essential to the safe reopening of our schools. Regardless of any suggestions to the contrary, AACPS officials have been in regular contact with the teachers’ union representatives for months in regard to virtual learning, school reopening plans and coronavirus safety measures. Such communications with TAAAC leadership will continue. However, the Board’s focus has to be on reopening schools safely and delivering the quality education our students need.
The Board of Education respects our teachers and all they do for our students. The Board does not believe this an appropriate time for TAAAC to demand contract negotiations. This is especially so when the union and the Board are already in the middle of formal mediation of their current contract impasse. Maryland state law establishes a detailed process for resolving such disputes through the Public School Labor Relations Board and the Board will respect that ongoing process by not discussing new contract requests in the media.
Health and safety protocols are important to all of us and do not need to be negotiated. Our school system is committed to having such measures in place when we bring students, teachers, and staff back into buildings.”