Anonymous
04/19/2026 17:20
Subject: MCEA email from this afternoon
Natali Fani-Gonzalèz should take all of the developer-accruing incentives back, first.
Anonymous
04/19/2026 09:35
Subject: MCEA email from this afternoon
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:That the calendar is not subject to bargaining but they urge us to complete the survey.
If the union was willing to allow the grading days to be designated as potential half-day makeup days, it would go a long way... part of me thinks that's kind of what the Board is going to push for.
As a parent, I hope the union doesn’t agree to that. Teachers are already so behind on grading and it really negatively impacts student learning when they can’t get timely feedback.
What is ESY?
2% cola stinks but I think it’s what other units in the state are seeing given the crapfest that is the state budget and all the admin impact on fed workforce.
It really does stink- my take home was less this year than last year despite a step increase due to an increase in insurance premiums. Additionally, the new insurance provides less coverage, so we have more out of pocket expenses. Not sure who MCEA is representing, but it’s not the teachers!
Many people don't get cola's or a raise each year, and right now many are lucky to be holding on to their jobs. Property taxes keep rising and there is no excuse MCPS cannot give a small cola and make the budget work within the money they have.
That’s fine but I personally want my kids teachers to feel happy about their work and to feel appreciated. I think people who feel valued by society tend to do a better job. The US is strange in how much it demeans and devalues the teaching profession. Other places may not pay teachers all that well but they are respected and certainly don’t get yelled at by parents and students
There is only so much salary increases help
Anonymous
04/19/2026 09:34
Subject: MCEA email from this afternoon
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:That the calendar is not subject to bargaining but they urge us to complete the survey.
If the union was willing to allow the grading days to be designated as potential half-day makeup days, it would go a long way... part of me thinks that's kind of what the Board is going to push for.
As a parent, I hope the union doesn’t agree to that. Teachers are already so behind on grading and it really negatively impacts student learning when they can’t get timely feedback.
What is ESY?
2% cola stinks but I think it’s what other units in the state are seeing given the crapfest that is the state budget and all the admin impact on fed workforce.
It really does stink- my take home was less this year than last year despite a step increase due to an increase in insurance premiums. Additionally, the new insurance provides less coverage, so we have more out of pocket expenses. Not sure who MCEA is representing, but it’s not the teachers!
Many people don't get cola's or a raise each year, and right now many are lucky to be holding on to their jobs. Property taxes keep rising and there is no excuse MCPS cannot give a small cola and make the budget work within the money they have.
That’s fine but I personally want my kids teachers to feel happy about their work and to feel appreciated. I think people who feel valued by society tend to do a better job. The US is strange in how much it demeans and devalues the teaching profession. Other places may not pay teachers all that well but they are respected and certainly don’t get yelled at by parents and students
Anonymous
04/18/2026 21:07
Subject: MCEA email from this afternoon
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:That the calendar is not subject to bargaining but they urge us to complete the survey.
If the union was willing to allow the grading days to be designated as potential half-day makeup days, it would go a long way... part of me thinks that's kind of what the Board is going to push for.
As a parent, I hope the union doesn’t agree to that. Teachers are already so behind on grading and it really negatively impacts student learning when they can’t get timely feedback.
What is ESY?
2% cola stinks but I think it’s what other units in the state are seeing given the crapfest that is the state budget and all the admin impact on fed workforce.
It really does stink- my take home was less this year than last year despite a step increase due to an increase in insurance premiums. Additionally, the new insurance provides less coverage, so we have more out of pocket expenses. Not sure who MCEA is representing, but it’s not the teachers!
To be fair, there's not much they can do. They can't make the money materialize out of thin air, and they can't force MCPS to cut spending elsewhere (even if that would make enough of a difference.) I think the most the union can do is force arbitration, and at an arbitration (if I'm looking at the right section of County Code) the arbitrator must:
Ifirst evaluate and give the highest priority to the ability of the County to pay for additional short-term and long-term expenditures by considering:
(A) the limits on the County’s ability to raise taxes under State law and the County Charter;
(B) the added burden on County taxpayers, if any, resulting from increases in revenues needed to fund a final offer; and
(C) the County’s ability to continue to provide the current standard of all public services
THe insurance situation particularly stinks. I'm in private employment, and my insurance went up about 10% this year.
Anonymous
04/18/2026 20:47
Subject: MCEA email from this afternoon
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I didn’t read her proposal that way. I read that she is only willing to give MCPs $90mill more than last year versus the $180mill Elrich proposed. Wouldn’t it be up to MCPS to decide where to make the cuts?
They don't need more money, they need a conservator to come in and help them manage the money they have.
Completely agree. I’m support staff, not a teacher, but if MCPS can’t make do with $90 additional million that’s a budgeting problem. The reality is that Montgomery County residents can’t afford a property tax hike right now, and I am happy Fani-Gonzalez is being realistic.
Eh. Expenses are increasing everywhere, even for school districts.
No, its mismanagement that is the issue.
Anonymous
04/18/2026 20:46
Subject: MCEA email from this afternoon
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:That the calendar is not subject to bargaining but they urge us to complete the survey.
If the union was willing to allow the grading days to be designated as potential half-day makeup days, it would go a long way... part of me thinks that's kind of what the Board is going to push for.
As a parent, I hope the union doesn’t agree to that. Teachers are already so behind on grading and it really negatively impacts student learning when they can’t get timely feedback.
What is ESY?
2% cola stinks but I think it’s what other units in the state are seeing given the crapfest that is the state budget and all the admin impact on fed workforce.
It really does stink- my take home was less this year than last year despite a step increase due to an increase in insurance premiums. Additionally, the new insurance provides less coverage, so we have more out of pocket expenses. Not sure who MCEA is representing, but it’s not the teachers!
Many people don't get cola's or a raise each year, and right now many are lucky to be holding on to their jobs. Property taxes keep rising and there is no excuse MCPS cannot give a small cola and make the budget work within the money they have.
Anonymous
04/18/2026 20:26
Subject: MCEA email from this afternoon
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I didn’t read her proposal that way. I read that she is only willing to give MCPs $90mill more than last year versus the $180mill Elrich proposed. Wouldn’t it be up to MCPS to decide where to make the cuts?
They don't need more money, they need a conservator to come in and help them manage the money they have.
Completely agree. I’m support staff, not a teacher, but if MCPS can’t make do with $90 additional million that’s a budgeting problem. The reality is that Montgomery County residents can’t afford a property tax hike right now, and I am happy Fani-Gonzalez is being realistic.
Eh. Expenses are increasing everywhere, even for school districts.
Anonymous
04/18/2026 20:25
Subject: MCEA email from this afternoon
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:That the calendar is not subject to bargaining but they urge us to complete the survey.
If the union was willing to allow the grading days to be designated as potential half-day makeup days, it would go a long way... part of me thinks that's kind of what the Board is going to push for.
As a parent, I hope the union doesn’t agree to that. Teachers are already so behind on grading and it really negatively impacts student learning when they can’t get timely feedback.
What is ESY?
2% cola stinks but I think it’s what other units in the state are seeing given the crapfest that is the state budget and all the admin impact on fed workforce.
It really does stink- my take home was less this year than last year despite a step increase due to an increase in insurance premiums. Additionally, the new insurance provides less coverage, so we have more out of pocket expenses. Not sure who MCEA is representing, but it’s not the teachers!
Anonymous
04/17/2026 20:50
Subject: MCEA email from this afternoon
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Idea - cut the useless jobs in central office. That list is extensive. Have them replace teachers who are quitting and retiring.
Feel free to itemize that to show how you get to $59 million. Actually even if you can get to $10 million that would be amazing.
That would be easy to show if MCPS were transparent and itemized..
I wish they were more transparent and I am sure there are positions that could be cut, but it won't be $59 million in positions, not even close.
Lots more than positions in the operating budget.
People keep saying this but they don't say what they are referring to so I am guessing you think you found a couple of wasteful tiny contracts and assume you can find $59 million in waste. You won't.
The EV contract alone was $168M.
That would have been replaced with diesel buses. I’m with the other PP, list out things you’re willing to give up.
It wasn’t. EV lease is ongoing.
Credit card bill is $15 million.
Anonymous
04/17/2026 20:47
Subject: MCEA email from this afternoon
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Idea - cut the useless jobs in central office. That list is extensive. Have them replace teachers who are quitting and retiring.
Feel free to itemize that to show how you get to $59 million. Actually even if you can get to $10 million that would be amazing.
That would be easy to show if MCPS were transparent and itemized..
I wish they were more transparent and I am sure there are positions that could be cut, but it won't be $59 million in positions, not even close.
Lots more than positions in the operating budget.
People keep saying this but they don't say what they are referring to so I am guessing you think you found a couple of wasteful tiny contracts and assume you can find $59 million in waste. You won't.
The EV contract alone was $168M.
That would have been replaced with diesel buses. I’m with the other PP, list out things you’re willing to give up.
Anonymous
04/17/2026 20:46
Subject: MCEA email from this afternoon
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Idea - cut the useless jobs in central office. That list is extensive. Have them replace teachers who are quitting and retiring.
Feel free to itemize that to show how you get to $59 million. Actually even if you can get to $10 million that would be amazing.
That would be easy to show if MCPS were transparent and itemized..
I wish they were more transparent and I am sure there are positions that could be cut, but it won't be $59 million in positions, not even close.
Lots more than positions in the operating budget.
People keep saying this but they don't say what they are referring to so I am guessing you think you found a couple of wasteful tiny contracts and assume you can find $59 million in waste. You won't.
The EV contract alone was $168M.
Anonymous
04/17/2026 19:10
Subject: MCEA email from this afternoon
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Idea - cut the useless jobs in central office. That list is extensive. Have them replace teachers who are quitting and retiring.
Feel free to itemize that to show how you get to $59 million. Actually even if you can get to $10 million that would be amazing.
That would be easy to show if MCPS were transparent and itemized..
I wish they were more transparent and I am sure there are positions that could be cut, but it won't be $59 million in positions, not even close.
Lots more than positions in the operating budget.
People keep saying this but they don't say what they are referring to so I am guessing you think you found a couple of wasteful tiny contracts and assume you can find $59 million in waste. You won't.
The EV contract alone was $168M.
Anonymous
04/17/2026 19:01
Subject: MCEA email from this afternoon
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I didn’t read her proposal that way. I read that she is only willing to give MCPs $90mill more than last year versus the $180mill Elrich proposed. Wouldn’t it be up to MCPS to decide where to make the cuts?
They don't need more money, they need a conservator to come in and help them manage the money they have.
Completely agree. I’m support staff, not a teacher, but if MCPS can’t make do with $90 additional million that’s a budgeting problem. The reality is that Montgomery County residents can’t afford a property tax hike right now, and I am happy Fani-Gonzalez is being realistic.
Anonymous
04/17/2026 18:57
Subject: MCEA email from this afternoon
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Idea - cut the useless jobs in central office. That list is extensive. Have them replace teachers who are quitting and retiring.
Feel free to itemize that to show how you get to $59 million. Actually even if you can get to $10 million that would be amazing.
That would be easy to show if MCPS were transparent and itemized..
I wish they were more transparent and I am sure there are positions that could be cut, but it won't be $59 million in positions, not even close.
Lots more than positions in the operating budget.
People keep saying this but they don't say what they are referring to so I am guessing you think you found a couple of wasteful tiny contracts and assume you can find $59 million in waste. You won't.