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Educators at AACPS hearing press for higher pay, more special-education staff and smaller classes
Summary
Teachers and union representatives urged the Anne Arundel County Public Schools Board to approve Superintendent Bedell’s FY2026 budget request for 155 additional special-education positions, larger cost-of-living adjustments for unit 1 staff and funding to reduce class sizes and provide more teaching assistants.
Teachers, union representatives and parents urged the Anne Arundel County Public Schools Board of Education on the first public hearing on the superintendent’s recommended FY2026 operating and capital budget to boost pay and add staff for special education and regular classrooms.
Christina Corona, a high school teacher who said she is "currently serving as tech president," told the board, "We applaud doctor Badell's request for a 155 additional special education positions," and called for more teaching assistants to support elementary teachers managing difficult behaviors.
Why it matters: Speakers said continued low pay and rising workloads are driving experienced educators away, increasing the district’s difficulty recruiting and retaining teachers. Board members will use public input to shape questions for a Jan. 21 staff workshop and to draft amendments for the Feb. 19 board meeting.
Union and classroom testimony focused on two main demands: pay that keeps up with local inflation and the superintendent’s requested staffing increases. Jorge Cordova, an educator of more than 25 years who identified himself as a "tax vice president, a union that proudly represents more than 6,000 educators," said, "Provide educators with a COLA higher than inflation," and urged a longevity bonus for staff at step 25. He argued the district’s past cost-of-living adjustments have not restored purchasing power.
Speakers contrasted recent district technology and construction spending with staff compensation. Cordova criticized spending on a $1,000,000 BriteSpace implementation and new buildings that lack solar panels, saying funds should instead go to salaries and retention measures.
Teachers also raised workload and class-size concerns. Krista Davies, a teacher with 25 years at Meade High School, described grading and family outreach demands for nearly 180 students: "That would add up to 10 hours of grading each week," and said large class sizes prevent teachers from building individual relationships and meeting students’ needs.
Multiple speakers asked the board to seek increased county funding to make larger COLAs and scale adjustments possible. Several mentioned the superintendent’s figures as a starting point but urged the board to press the county council for additional revenue.
The board did not take any votes during the hearing. Members reminded speakers that testimony will inform later budget workshops and formal decisions.
Ending: The board said it will collect public comment to inform upcoming staff briefings and formal budget deliberations in January and February; the next public budget hearing was announced for Jan. 14, 2025.
