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Speakers urge more classroom emergency supplies, credit for career programs and changes for national-board teacher pay
Summary
Public commenters requested (1) mandated classroom emergency kits and training to supplement school safety, (2) recognition of Center of Applied Technology South coursework toward graduation credits, and (3) action to address pay/eligibility inequities for national board certified teachers; a virtual speaker also asked for shorter school days.
Students, a teacher and a community member used the meeting's public-comment period to raise safety, curriculum-credit and compensation concerns.
Haley Dykeman, a senior at Glen Burnie High School, urged the board to seek an amendment to the 2018 Maryland Safe to Learn Act to increase funding for classroom emergency resources and training. Dykeman recounted a series of violent incidents in local high schools and said her survey of Glen Burnie teachers showed "62.7 percent of teachers lack a first aid kit in their classrooms." She proposed each classroom have an emergency kit with items such as a tourniquet, gauze, bandages, gloves and scissors and asked the board to support changes that would expand funding for classroom emergency supplies.
Summer Brown, a junior and Cat South carpentry student at Annapolis High School, asked the board to review how Center of Applied Technology South programs are credited toward graduation. Brown said Cat South classes are "rigorous, hands on, and highly educational" but do not always fulfill related graduation credits (art, technology or health), which limits students’ scheduling flexibility and opportunities for internships, part-time work, or other postsecondary preparation.
Amy Young Buckler, a national board certified teacher with 27 years in AACPS, raised concerns about eligibility for a new career-ladder salary enhancement tied to national-board certification maintenance dates. She said some teachers who earned certification before a December 2021 maintenance deadline are excluded from an additional $8,000 enhancement and asked the board to support legislative changes or local advocacy to address the discrepancy. "We need your help. We need you to work with us for lobbying and legislative push," she said.
A virtual speaker, Brazil Fulk, asked the board to consider shortening school days to help students balance academics, extracurriculars and rest.
Ending: The board acknowledged the comments and said staff would follow up where appropriate; the public-comment record will inform staff and board deliberations on safety, graduation-credit rules and personnel compensation matters.
