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Baltimore Teachers Union urges board to resolve PSRP impasse, demands improved compensation
Summary
BTU representative Nathan Farrell said the union entered impasse over paraprofessional and school-related personnel pay, citing low wages, difficult working conditions and a gap with Baltimore County pay; he urged the board to negotiate meaningfully and ratify teacher-contract provisions.
During public comment at the Dec. 10 board meeting, Nathan Farrell representing the Baltimore Teachers Union asked the board to ratify agreed sections of the teacher contract and called for meaningful progress in negotiations for the PSRP (paraprofessional and school‑related personnel) chapter.
Farrell described PSRP roles (school secretaries, registrars, paraprofessionals, bus aides, community school coordinators) and argued that many PSRP employees earn significantly less than comparable workers in neighboring Baltimore County. He said some PSRP members work second jobs and that the union seeks compensation restructuring that includes credential‑based increases to create a para‑to‑teacher pipeline.
Farrell also praised the board’s moves on classroom-door locks and retirement-savings plan work but said the district has failed to present a meaningful response to a modest mediation proposal, which led the BTU to enter impasse. He urged the board to engage seriously in impasse negotiations to avoid long-term staffing and retention problems.
The board acknowledged the comments and has not taken additional public action during the meeting other than to note the comment during the public‑comment period.
