Author Archives: case-admin-user

Comments to the Board Jul 2023

July 11, 2023

Good evening, Chairwoman Mrs. Lichter, Vice-Chair Mrs. Harvey, Superintendent Dr. Yarbrough, and members of the board.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak on behalf of CASE.

Welcome back to Ms. Stolusky as our newest board member. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to the students of BCPS.

There are 2 significant issues that CASE members face this summer.

Special Education Support for Elementary Schools

The first issue is special education support at the elementary level. Last year BCPS planned to provide IEP facilitators to elementary schools. The plan had to be changed because of the staffing shortage. The facilitator positions had to be returned to the classroom. That was absolutely the right solution to the immediate problem of staffing. But the special education support problem remains.

The workload for assistant principals is unmanageable. Assistant principals are responsible for informal and formal observations of staff, transportation, discipline, testing, staff development, and IEP facilitation. That’s just the big rocks. There are dozens of problems to be solved each day.

If your school only services inclusion and speech students, you dedicate one day a week to TEAM meetings. If you have a regional program, add on an additional day of TEAM meetings. If you have more than one regional program, add on an additional day of TEAM. If your program supports students that struggle with appropriate behavior, add on a last minute meeting every time the behavior might lead to a disciplinary action. Some APs run TEAM 3 days a week. But they still have to do all the other tasks.

Assistant principals don’t get the opportunity to become instructional leaders and prepare to become principals without extraordinary efforts. They are dedicated so they get it done. They work from 6 am to 11:00 at night. They work weekends. They miss plays and sporting events for their own kids. We must solve this problem. Although I spoke today about elementary assistant principals, secondary assistant principals face similar workload issues. I will speak to their plight at another meeting.

Staffing Shortage

The second issue is the staffing shortage. Once schools have completed hiring, specific supports must be available to schools that still have openings. Currently staffing shortages are covered by teachers that are paid to teach during their planning times and support staff like resource teachers and paraeducators. This is absolutely the right thing to do in an emergency. But we can’t continue to operate in emergency mode. It’s not sustainable, and students and staff lose out with this option.

Program and course choice must be modified to match the available staff. Online, virtual, and self-paced options must be available and expanded for students to get the courses they need and want but aren’t available when there is not enough staff.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak on behalf of CASE.

—Billy Burke, Executive Director

Comments to the Board Jun 2023

June 13, 2023

Good evening, Chairwoman Mrs. Lichter, Vice Chairwoman Mrs. Harvey, Superintendent Dr. Williams, and members of the board.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you on behalf of CASE.

I’d like to take a moment and celebrate the members of CASE. You have led schools, families, and students through another challenging and successful year. It is time to rest, rejuvenate, and find what inspires you. Summer school and the start of the new school year will be here before you know it.

Dr. Williams, on behalf of CASE, thank you for your service to Baltimore County.

Dr. Yarbrough, congratulations on your appointment. CASE looks forward to continuing meaningful collaboration.

As we move forward I would like to make the following recommendations.

MOUs

As MOUs are created with each of the 5 bargaining units, each bargaining unit should review the MOU for impact to its members. MOUs should remain in draft form until a collaboratively designed implementation plan is in place that focuses on the unit that must implement the decision. A work group of end users must provide feedback on the decision before the MOU goes into effect. This process would ensure balance when attempting to improve working conditions.

Budget Process

My second recommendation is aligned to the budget process. This year to balance the budget a number of positions needed to be eliminated. CASE would recommend that the actual positions be listed and the people in the positions be notified as the budget is introduced. This would give the employees time to be placed in parallel positions when available as indicated in the Master Agreements or change their declarations of intent and/or look for another position within BCPS during the priority transfer process. It is hard to tell staff their position is eliminated. I get it. We hope that things will change, and they can stay. But we need to avoid delaying telling people their position is eliminated to give them maximum opportunity.

Leadership Programs

Finally, CASE is recommending that BCPS continue to improve its grow-your-own leadership programs. There is so much talent, years of experience, and dedication to BCPS within the organization. Let’s capitalize on that commitment.

I’d like to end by thanking the board and BCPS leadership for securing the step increase and COLA during negotiations. It is greatly appreciated.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak on behalf of CASE.

—Billy Burke, Executive Director

CASE Executive Director Work Summary

Executive Director Work Summary May 2023

Hello CASE Members,

Happy June.

I attended less formal BCPS meetings this month. I spent the bulk of my time supporting members through investigations, performance concerns, and disciplinary actions. All three of those topics can feel like a punch in the gut. Through this support I’ve learned there is always room for growth, treat people with respect, investigations are sometimes an attempt to intimidate, and sometimes investigations lead to learning some new ways of behaving. We should have an in-person conversation about this at our next membership meeting. In the meantime, know what you stand for, set boundaries for how you will be treated, and examine how you treat others. Being a leader is hard. You will be criticized. Do what you know is right anyway. You inspire me.  

Updated Negotiations

The Board of Education and County Executive approved budget includes:

  • 1 step increase
  • 2% COLA
  • No layoffs or furloughs
  • Addition of Step 21 to the CASE Salary Scale (Replaces bonus. Equal in compensation amount 2% COLA 2% Step Increase.)

Vacation Accrual Update

Vacation accrual caps will be suspended until December 31, 2023. Effective January 1, 2024, vacation accrual caps will be increased by five days for each bargaining unit. Any vacation days earned after the cap has been reached will be moved to rolled leave. Upon separation from BCPS, vacation will be paid in accordance with the negotiated master agreement towards retirement. (Repeated from April)

Quotes for May

Self-love is a sincere acceptance of the past, an agreement to make the most of the present, and a willingness to allow the best to occur in the future.

—Yung Pueblo

You are not the darkness you endured. You are the light that refused to surrender.

—John Mark Green

Best regards,

Billy

Meetings

  • CASE Negotiations
  • Employee Support During Investigations
  • Employee Support During discipline meetings
  • Employee support during difficult conversations with supervisors or staff
  • Calendar Committee
  • Strategic Planning with the 5 Unions
  • Member Consultations
  • CASE Member Supervisor’s Consultation
  • CASE Executive Board Meeting
  • Weekly Discussions with the Chief of Staff
  • Assistance Plan Development Support
  • Monthly Meeting with Union Presidents and Superintendent

Member Support Topics

  • Verifying staff pay for working after scheduled hours
  • Discipline – Member Representation
  • Investigation – Member Representation
  • Compensation Grievance Moves to Arbitration
  • Compensation for Required Behavior Modules
  • Being named as a defendant in a case against BCPS
  • Meeting with hostile or abusive staff
  • Leaving CASE for a TABCO position
  • Asking for an accommodation
  • Certification Office concerns
  • Working remotely after injury or illness
  • What happens to your leave if you resign?
  • Reassigned after position is eliminated
  • What to do if you been asked to do something you believe is unethical
  • Current processes for COVID leave
  • Payroll error
  • Superintendent search process concerns
  • Switching levels
  • Incorrect Transcripts End of Year Grading Timeline concern
CASE Executive Director Work Summary

Executive Director Work Summary Apr 2023

Hello CASE Members,
It is hard to believe it is May 1. Hang in there. The end is in sight.

Updated Negotiations

The Board of Education and County Executive approved budget includes:

  • 1 step increase
  • 2% COLA
  • No layoffs or furloughs
  • Bonus for members on the last step

The budget now goes to the County Council for approval.

Vacation Accrual Update

Vacation accrual caps will be suspended until December 31, 2023. Effective January 1, 2024, vacation accrual caps will be increased by five days for each bargaining unit. Any vacation days earned after the cap has been reached will be moved to rolled leave. Upon separation from BCPS, vacation will be paid in accordance with the negotiated master agreement towards retirement.

Superintendent Search

A subgroup of CASE members will meet with the candidates for Superintendent on May 9. They will interview the candidates and provide feedback to the Board of Education. The names of the finalists will be confidential at this time. It is important to protect their identities as they pursue this opportunity. Candidates may not want their current districts to know that they are pursuing other opportunities until they identified as finalists. We will respect that request.

In an effort to be transparent—I was originally going to facilitate one of the candidate interview workgroups. Candidates have listed me as a reference. It has become a conflict of interest. The Board of Education will identify another facilitator. You will be well represented by several CASE members.

Quotes for April

What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of a difference you want to make.

—Jane Goodall

Don’t wait for extraordinary opportunities. Seize common occasions and make them great.

—Orison Swett Marden

Best regards,
Billy

Meetings

  • CASE Negotiations
  • Employee Support During Investigations
  • County Executive Budget Announcement
  • Strategic Planning with the 5 Unions
  • PAR for Teachers
  • Teacher Effectiveness Committee
  • Weekly Discussions with the Chief of Staff
  • Safe and Supportive Environments Advisory Group
  • Chief Academic Officer Advisory Group
  • Benefits Discussion with Manager of Staff Relations
  • Foundations of Supervision Presentation for BCPS Business Services
  • Assistance Plan Development Support
  • Monthly Meeting with Superintendent
  • Monthly Meeting with Union Presidents and Superintendent

Member Support Topics

  • TABCO Perception Survey
  • Discipline – Member Representation
  • Investigation – Member Representation
  • PPW Locations
  • What Are Your Rights When Your Child Attends a BCPS School
  • Employee Leaves and Requests for Accommodation
  • Compensation Grievance Moves to Arbitration
  • Staff Behavior
  • Administrator Workload
  • Compensation for Required Behavior Modules
  • When Your Position Has Been Eliminated
  • Being Transferred
  • Placement on the CASE Scale
  • Employee Absence and Communication From the Office of Leaves and Absences
  • Mileage Reimbursement
  • Qualifications for CASE Eligible Positions
  • Administrator Use of Social Media
  • PowerSchool SLO Glitch
CASE Executive Director Work Summary

Executive Director Work Summary Mar 2023

Hello CASE Members, 

Happy Spring Break Eve. I hope you have plans to rest and rejuvenate.  

Negotiations

The Board of Education approved budget includes: 

  •  1 step increase 
  •  2% COLA 
  •  No layoffs of furloughs 

The budget now goes to the County Executive and County Council for approval. 

AFSCME Vacation Payout

AFSCME employees were offered this option because during the early months of COVID they were denied the right to use their vacation because they were considered essential. So, when everyone was working from home, they still were required to go in and were not allowed to take vacation days. CASE employees didn’t have the same restrictions.  

Although the deadline for using accrued vacation was extended for CASE members, I know many of you would like options besides the extra days moving to rolled leave. I continue to discuss with BCPS. The AFSCME payout and the use of accrued leave that was saved if we transitioned to pay in arrears are two different issues and are being discussed as such. There are still no plans or timeline for moving to pay in arrears.  

Quote for March 

Get out of your head and back on your feet. Remember who the hell you are. This means returning to your body because you are missing your life living in your thoughts. Feel the ground beneath your feet and start living. It’s time.  

—J. Mike Fields

Best regards, 

Billy 

Meetings

  • CASE Negotiations 
  • Feedback on BCPS Summer Work Schedule Proposal 
  • Compensation Package Grievance Hearing 
  • Employee Support During Supervisor Meeting  
  • Met with TABCO about using external hearing officers for grievances 
  • Consultation with School Administrators on the role of TABCO Reps 
  • Superintendent Search Meeting – Attributes of BCPS and Candidates 
  • Reopening Plan Stakeholder meeting 
  • Strategic Planning with the 5 Unions 
  • PAR for Teachers 
  • Weekly Discussions with the Chief of Staff 
  • Monthly Meeting with Superintendent 
  • Monthly Meeting with Union Presidents and Superintendent  

Member Support Topics

  • Implementation of Compensation Package 
  • Discipline – Member Representation 
  • Investigation – Member Representation  
  • Employee performance 
  • Employee behavior 
  • When a staff member is harassing you 
  • How to appeal a BCPS decision regarding your child 
  • Data Monitoring – Middle School  
  • Principal Internship Program – Lack of AP coverage 
  • TABCO process violations when addressing administrator concerns 
  • Role of TABCO Rep and Uniserve Director 
  • Accommodations after an injury – correct leave 
  • Conference Summaries – Are they disciplinary? 
  • Long Term Disability – Unexpected charges 
  • IEP Facilitators – We need support 
  • State of Schools – Communication and Time of Event 
  • AFSCME Vacation Payout  Behavior Threat Assessment Training

Comments to the Board Mar 2023

March 14, 2023

Dear Chairwoman Mrs. Lichter, Vice Chair Mrs. Harvey, Superintendent Dr. Williams, and Members of the Board,

Thank you for the opportunity to speak on behalf of CASE.

I’d like to speak to you tonight about two issues.

The first issue is the STAR ratings. It is important that we as educators are accountable for student learning, but I am concerned that the STAR system of ranking schools creates a confusing and misleading picture of what is happening in schools. Rating systems like STAR assume everyone comes to the table with the same resources and opportunities. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Variability is the norm. Students are different, and the challenges they face happen at the community, school, and family level.

It is important to remember that the STAR ratings are a snapshot in time. The rankings don’t explain where schools started and how schools and students have grown. And most importantly the STAR ratings don’t provide a corrective action plan for moving forward based on the individual and real challenges student, schools, and communities face. I’m not against accountability, but rating systems like STAR mislead the public into believing that one school is good, and one school is bad based on the ratings. As you visit schools, you will see excellence in schools with a one-star rating and you will see room for improvement in schools with a 5 star rating.

The second issue I’d like to bring to your attention is changes to COMAR when disciplining students with IEPs that have exhibited dangerous behavior like weapons possession and fighting. The law limits and prohibits the suspension and expulsion of students that exhibit dangerous behaviors if those behaviors are a manifestation of the student’s disabilities. The law limits the use of virtual learning for these students. What the law doesn’t do is provide direction and support as well as resources to schools and school districts in providing appropriate placements and supports for these students. Teachers and administrators feel unheard and under resourced when asking for support in providing an appropriate education for theses students. The current law makes students and staff feel unsafe.

I often hear board members say to staff, “How can we help?” This is how you can help. Lobby at the state and national levels for the resources and guidance needed to provide appropriate educational supports to students struggling with behavioral challenges. Ask for processes that are rigorous and funded, but streamlined to get students the supports they need quickly. It would be an important step in making schools safer. Just ask your child’s teacher. Just ask your children.

Thank you for your time.

—Billy Burke, Executive Director

CASE Executive Director Work Summary

Executive Director Work Summary Feb 2023

Hello CASE Members,

A TABCO MOU is in place so that the pre and post observation conference should be held by the same administrator. This was published in the News Hub and the Principal’s Weekly Update. I was unaware of this MOU until it became an issue. I am not a BCPS employee, so I don’t get the news hub or weekly update. This MOU is in place until June 30, 2023. If you ever receive information you think I need to know please send it to me.

Action Requested:
If you have not sent the following email to the board of education, please consider doing so. If you have already sent an email, thank you! A recent board discussion revealed a request to remove stakeholders from the public comment portion of board meetings. Send the email to boe@bcps.org.

Dear Members of the BCPS Board of Education,
It is critical that CASE maintain its current ability to speak at board meetings as a stakeholder. We rely on the board to support us as leaders, and we need the ability to publicly communicate to you through our Executive Director. Thank you for your support. Thank you for your service to the staff, students, and community of BCPS.
Best regards,
CASE Member’s Name
Position
School or Office

I will be on vacation from March 22 to March 27.

We are still in the process of grieving the implementation of last year’s compensation package. I’m frustrated by the run around.

Quotes for February:

Data is not about adding more to your plate. Data is about making sure you have the right things on your plate.Unknown

Loyalty doesn’t require conformity. If consensus is wrong, you have an obligation to disagree. Weak leaders demand deference. Strong leaders welcome dissent. Being a team player is not about sacrificing your values for a group. It’s about acting in service of the greater good.Adam Grant

Best regards,
Billy

Meetings

  • Met with TABCO about a TABCO proposal to change aspects of the transfer process
  • Reopening Plan Stakeholder meeting
  • Strategic Planning with the 5 Unions
  • PAR for Teachers
  • Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Workgroup
  • Consultation with Head of School Counseling – transfers
  • Weekly Discussions with the Chief of Staff
  • Monthly Meeting with Superintendent
  • Monthly Meeting with Union Presidents and Superintendent
  • Meeting to discuss possible stipends for CASE when presenting after work hours
  • Consultation with Administrators – Employee behavior and performance
  • Representation of CASE member – discipline meetings
  • Representation of CASE member – investigations
  • CASE Board of Directors Meeting
  • Teacher Effectiveness Committee

Member Support Topics

  • Implementation of Compensation Package
  • Discipline – Member Representation
  • Investigation – Member Representation
  • Employee performance
  • Employee behavior
  • Board discussion on the future of VLP
  • Principal Internship Program – Lack of AP coverage
  • TABCO process violations when addressing administrator concerns
  • Inappropriate new student placement
  • Error in benefits enrollment
  • Process for teacher requesting accommodations
  • Tuition reimbursement – process change
  • Parent threat
  • CASE Employee safety at the Jefferson Building – Parking
  • Protecting CASE members from Social Media attacks
  • Pre and Post Conferences should be conducted by the same administrator – new MOU in place until June 30.

Comments to the Board Feb 2023

February 14, 2023

Good evening, Chairwoman Mrs. Lichter, Vice Chairwoman Mrs. Harvey, Superintendent Dr. Williams, and members of the board,

Thank you for the opportunity to speak on behalf of CASE.

Dr. Williams, CASE would like to thank you for your service to Baltimore County, and we wish you nothing but success as you finish your work here and plan your next chapter.

I have two items I would like to discuss this evening. The first item is a call for stability as we prepare for change. I understand there may be a need to transfer administrators, but please consider leaving people where they are unless they’ve made requests or there is an urgent need. And as we begin to hire assistant principals and principals and central office leaders, please consider BCPS employees first. It will be important to maintain historical knowledge as we move forward.

The second item has to do with principal and administrator safety and protection. CASE members understand that when they take on leadership positions they are subject to public criticism. But as their union representation I am not seeing public criticism. What I see is people using social media to speculate, spread false information, and even lie about school administrators. CASE believes that parents and the community should be strong advocates for students and hold administrators accountable, but they too should be held accountable when they make false and slanderous accusations. There is a way to communicate truth without exposing students or violating their rights. BCPS leadership and the board must speak out against this abuse.

This week, I had to support an administrative team whose lives have been threatened by a parent. Not one threat but multiple threats. There have been “no trespass” letters issued and peace orders acquired by the administrators from the courthouse. The peace order should have been acquired by the system. Having the administrator acquire the order actually puts the system at risk. The parent response to the “no trespass” letter was, “You have to leave the building at some point, I’ll just get you then.” More needs to be done. We can’t wait until something horrible happens. We can have courage and act and still maintain people’s rights. We can have courage and act and still maintain a relationship with parents and the community. We need you to help. We need you to protect. We need you to lead.

—Billy Burke, Executive Director

CASE Executive Director Work Summary

Executive Director Work Summary Jan 2023

Hello CASE Members,

It has certainly been a news-filled week. CASE would like to thank Dr. Williams for his service to Baltimore County. We wish him well as he prepares to start a new chapter. Business is as usual, and I will continue to meet weekly with the Chief of Staff to address issues important to CASE. We should expect the board to approve a contract to do a search. There are lots of rumors out there. Try not to engage. I’ll let you know as soon as I have any information about next steps or if anything is changing.

I am working with BCPS to ensure the compensation package announced in September is implemented fairly among our members. There are a few points where we disagree, and I have proposed solutions and submitted one grievance in an area where we could not reach agreement.

The superintendent has presented his proposed budget to the board. It contained a step increase, but it did not contain a COLA. We will continue to negotiate on this matter.

I met with a group of secondary administrators to discuss hot topics. I presented these topics to the Chief of Staff during my last two meetings with her.

We are in the process of updating the CASE website.

Quote for January:

Understanding yourself is power. Loving yourself is freedom. Forgiving yourself is peace. Being yourself is bliss.Unknown

Best regards,
Billy

Meetings

  • Spoke at BOE meeting
  • Reopening Plan Stakeholder meeting
  • Strategic Planning with the 5 Unions
  • PAR for Administrators
  • Weekly Discussions with the Chief of Staff
  • Monthly Meeting with Superintendent
  • Monthly Meeting with Union Presidents and Superintendent
  • Discussion on Lead Teacher and Administrator Roles for Summer
  • SSAA
  • Discuss Grievance with CASE Lawyer and Identify Relevant Legal Precedent
  • TABCO – Teacher Transfer Process
  • VALIC/AIG changed to Corebridge Financial – Asked to Present at Our Next Meeting (Not the correct forum)
  • MSDE Reporting Requirements – Food Services

Member Support Topics

  • Implementation of Compensation Package
  • Salary Scale
  • Rules/Timeline for Teachers Calling Out Sick
  • Changes to APPD Dates
  • Teacher Administrator Mediation
  • Inappropriate Behavior of Special Education Advocate
  • Associate Principal Internship Substitutes