Educators and union leaders push back on proposed 2% pay increase, call for higher raises and targeted stipends

Teachers, school staff and union leaders told the Anne Arundel County Board of Education that the superintendent's proposed 2% cost-of-living increase for FY27 would not restore lost purchasing power and urged larger raises and targeted pay adjustments.

"The proposed call of 2% is below the current rate of inflation," Jorge Cordova, vice president of TAC, told the board, urging a raise greater than 2 percent and referencing higher percentages in neighboring counties. Multiple speakers provided figures comparing teacher salaries over several years and cited inflation data to argue the raise is effectively a pay cut for many staff.

Speakers raised a range of compensation concerns: Elizabeth Saperstein, a school social worker at Meade High School, asked that school social worker pay be aligned with school psychologists and pupil personnel workers; Holly Quiterlein requested $32,000 for maintenance-of-certification funds for four National Board–certified counselors and support for additional counselor positions; Dennis Sullivan urged a 10% (and up to 20–30%) increase for coaching pay and consideration of stipends and playoff performance bonuses; an unidentified speaker said required teacher time at Arlington Echo is not compensated and estimated full payment would cost about $80,000.

Board members did not take votes during the hearing. Speakers said public input would be used by the board to shape questions for staff at the January workshop and potential amendments before the February meeting.