APRIL 18th, 2022
NEWSETTE
Information is Power
Inside this Newsette:

  • Bargaining For The Common Good
  • Thanks to Legislators
  • Updates
  • School Calendar
  • On the Legislative Front
  • Benefits
  • Mental Health Assistance
  • In the News
Upcoming Bargaining Events:

April 21st - Bargaining Sessions w/ PGCPS (Virtual Event)
April 26th - Facebook Live Bargaining Info Session (Virtual Event)
April 28th - Rally followed by a Bargaining Session (In-Person Event)
LATEST PROPOSAL:
Thanks to Legislators.
THANKS TO LEGISLATORS AND FEDERAL AID, $61 BILLION BUDGET DELIVERS TO SCHOOLS

Approved Budget Includes Legislators’ Additions to Bolster Blueprint

The $61 billion FY23 budget that legislators passed continues to factor in recovery from the pandemic while solidifying the state’s commitment to the Blueprint. Federal relief funds in the amount of $1.4 billion are available to increase tutoring, supply technology, pay educators, and support new programs. Legislators included $800 million toward out-year funding for the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund, made possible by an estimated $7.5 billion surplus across FY22 and FY23. This funding commitment takes important steps to shoring up the funding and implementation of the latter half of the Blueprint and ensuring that the transformational intent of the Blueprint is realized. 

Except for accelerated funding for tutoring that the pandemic federal funds enabled, most of the Blueprint programs have been delayed a year to 18 months due to Gov. Hogan’s delaying tactics. House Bill 1450 has already become law without the governor’s signature and adjusts the deadlines affecting the Accountability and Implementation Board (AIB), the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), and local school districts. The updated timeline includes hold harmless provisions to account for drops in enrollment that are predicted to reverse as the pandemic wanes. 

Under the new law, the AIB has until December 1 to adopt a comprehensive implementation plan, MSDE has until September 1 to design the criteria for local implementation plans to be approved, and the state and districts have until March 15, 2023 to submit their implementation plans to the AIB for approval. The law also affects the deadline to meet college and career readiness (CCR) expectations. The requirement for local school boards in collaboration with community colleges to develop pathways to support students who do not meet the CCR standard by the end of the 10th grade is delayed until the 2023-2024 school year. The bill also made adjustments to simplify how some revenue was directed to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund.
Updates
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STUDENT LOAN UPDATE
Exciting news! The official announcement came from The White House and Department of Education  extending the pause on federal student loan payments and interest to August 31, 2022.  This continues the policy that’s been in place since March 2020. As a reminder, here’s what this means:
-For Direct and federally-held FFEL loans, no payment is due and your interest rate is 0%. You can make payments, but you are not required to. 
-Commercially-held FFEL loans and Perkins loans that are not in default DO NOT qualify for this payment and interest suspension. 
-Private student loans DO NOT qualify for this payment and interest suspension, but your lender may have implemented a forbearance program, so it’s best to contact them directly about that. 
-If you are on track to use the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program (and are meeting the employment and loan type requirements of that program), the months in administrative forbearance because of the pandemic DO count toward your 120 qualifying payments even if you aren’t making payments. You can read more about changes to PSLF here.
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION UPDATE
MSEA was invited to present at the beginning of the State Board meeting on March 22 as part of their Stakeholder Engagement agenda item. President Bost, Vice President Dudley, and Treasurer Coughlin attended and presented on who we are, our mission and goals, and upcoming priorities. Following the presentation, there was a lengthy discussion with members of the board. The State Board meeting can be viewed by clicking here.
KRA and MCAP Results
Results of the fall administration of the KRA and MCAP were shared with the State Board and results can be viewed here.
STATE BOARD STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS
The State Board is engaging in a strategic planning process and teacher member, Rachel McCusker is on the internal committee. All Marylanders are being asked to take part in their survey at www.marylandpublicschools.org/survey.
Changes to the 2021-2022 School Calendar
The Prince George’s County Board of Education has approved changes to the 2021-22 school calendar. As Juneteenth is a federal and county holiday, it has been added as a new holiday on Monday, June 20. The Monday, March 7 professional development day is now a regular instructional day for students. The last day for both students and teachers will be Thursday, June 23.
 
Additional inclement weather days may be virtual learning days to ensure the last day for students is no later than Friday, June 24.
 
To view the updated calendar, visit the PGCPS calendar webpage
BENEFITS
Get Valuable Educator Perks Just for Union Members
Whether you’ve joined your education association at the local, state or national level, you belong to the NEA and have access to educator perks through NEA Member Benefits. Watch this video to see how it works.
 
Why NEA Member Benefits Is Dedicated to Serving Educators
NEA members are at the core of everything we do – from negotiating on your behalf to offer valuable benefits with trusted partners, to supporting your personal needs in each stage of your life and career. Find out more about why you inspire us and how we can help you.
 
BENEFITS: WEEKLY GIFT CARD GIVEAWAY!
For immediate mental health assistance:
PGCPS Employee Assistance Program:
By phone: 1-800-346-0110 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
    Username: PGCPS
    Password: PRINCE
IN THE NEWS...
Teen Mental Health During COVID: What New Federal Data...

High school students experienced challenges with mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic including hopelessness, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts or intentions. But those who felt close to people at school or who reported strong virtual...

Read more
www.edweek.org
What's going on with Maryland's congressional district...

With a primary election scheduled for July 19, the boundary lines of Maryland's eight congressional districts are in flux. A map adopted in December to account for population changes determined by the 2020 census was struck down by a judge on...

Read more
www.baltimoresun.com
Do you know your UniServ Director?

Our UniServ directors (UD's) are here to assist you with any of your school-based issues or contract compliance needs. To find out which UD is assigned to your school click the button to see their school assignments.
PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY EDUCATORS' ASSOCIATION| WWW.PGCEA.ORG