Garrett County Board of Education approves amended agreement for teacher career enhancements

The Garrett County Public Schools Board convened on May 13, 2025, to discuss several key agenda items, including amendments to the fiscal year 2026 negotiated agreement and public comments from community members.

The meeting began with a recommendation from the Board of Education to approve amended articles negotiated with the GCA unit 1. These amendments specifically address updates to Article 31, which impacts the duty day for teachers, and Article 152, which includes career ladder enhancements for Level 2B and Level 4A teachers. The approval of these amendments aims to establish clear guidelines for duty hours and salary enhancements aligned with the career ladder framework, ensuring compliance with Maryland's educational objectives, pending available funding and legislative mandates. Following the recommendation, the board voted unanimously in favor of the motion to approve the amendments and authorize the execution of a related memorandum of understanding.

After the board's business, the meeting transitioned to public comments. The board president reminded attendees of the guidelines for public comment, emphasizing that remarks should be limited to three minutes and should not address individual personnel issues or matters currently under appeal.

Several community members took the opportunity to speak, with one notable comment from Kathy Schafer, who highlighted the importance of educational standards and community involvement in schools. She praised the academic performance of Garrett County schools, noting that one school achieved a Maryland 4-star rating and emphasized the need for community engagement in supporting student excellence. Schafer also invited families to an open house event at Swan Meadow, promoting the school’s programs and community activities.

The meeting concluded with a reminder of the importance of community input in shaping educational policies and practices, reinforcing the board's commitment to fostering a collaborative environment for student success.