Membership Meeting, November 2024

The CASE Fall General Membership Meeting was held on November 4, 2024, at The Valley Inn. Members networked and caught up with old friends and colleagues during the social hour.

The meeting agenda included discussions on Pay in Arrears, CASE representation when meeting with TABCO, new licensure and certification requirements, and possible CASE representation of retirees during the healthcare vendor selection process.

Members had a chance to ask questions and bring forward concerns. It was a great evening celebrating the great work of CASE members.

Location

The Valley Inn
(Second Floor)
10501 Falls Rd
Timonium, MD 21093

Agenda

4:00—5:00 Social Hour – Networking, Drinks, and Appetizers
5:00—5:30 General Meeting
5:30—6:30 Social Hour Extended

Comments to the Board Oct 2023

October 24, 2023

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

Thank you for letting me speak on behalf of CASE.

Rights of Transgender Students and Employees

I’d like to speak to you tonight about the rights of transgender students and employees. The federal government, the Maryland state government, and the Baltimore County government all recognize transgender people as a protected class. An announcement from the pentagon stated the Defense Department proudly recognizes transgender and gender non-conforming people and their continued struggle for equality, security and dignity. “There is no place for violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression.”

The American Medical Association Journal of Ethics states:
Transgender rights stem from human rights, i.e., those fundamental rights belonging to every person. Persons with either cisgender (in which assigned and experienced gender are the same) or transgender identities deserve to live and flourish in their communities—with freedom to learn, work, love, and play—and build lives connected with others at home, in the workplace, and in public settings without fear for their safety and survival. These deeply personal decisions are and should be the prerogative of the individual and deserve the law’s protection.

Research also shows that transgender children are put at higher risk of attempted suicide or mental health challenges when they face bullying, rejection, or denial of health care.

In previous BCPS board meetings there have been uninformed conversations about bathrooms and locker rooms. I suspect those arguments happen because the topic is easily distorted to become salacious by using outrageous examples that aren’t real and are designed to cause fear. The solutions to those questions have some simple and commonplace answers. Most public businesses have gender neutral bathroom options. BCPS schools and offices can easily do the same.

If the idea of transgender students and staff makes you uncomfortable, I encourage you to do some research and reading. No one is asking you to give up your beliefs and rights. What you are being asked to do is support the rights of others as a public official and leader.

I say all of this because I need you to know that your conversations and decisions in these board meetings matter. Your public comments can inspire the community to show compassion and understanding or they can inspire the community to continue the legacy of hate and discrimination. Your comments can inspire a child that feels alone and unsupported or your comments can reinforce their fear and isolation.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak.

—Billy Burke, Executive Director

Comments to the Board Sep 2023

September 26, 2023

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

Thank you for letting me speak on behalf of CASE.

Contract Negotiations

This month BCPS and CASE began contract negotiations and budget conversations.

CASE’s priorities for negotiations remain firm. We ask for fair pay that addresses experience and inflation and general increases in what it costs to have appropriate food and housing. Experience is recognized through step increases. Combating inflation and the increases in basic consumer costs happens through a Cost-of-Living Adjustment.

Last week as part of the monthly union update meeting with Dr. Rogers and her staff, I asked for greater communication and transparency with the board, the county executive, and county council. Dr. Rogers spoke of regular, open communication with Baltimore County government, and I am encouraged by that.

You’ve heard me speak about this before. It is disappointing at best when the unions spend a year negotiating the terms of the contract and making suggestions for the budget only to find out that the county executive and the county council were not supportive of the ask. We need feedback and information on the state of the budget during the development of both the contracts and the budget. That would mean the unions need quarterly meetings with BCPS staff, the board, and Baltimore County government.

Budget

CASE’s priorities for the budget also remain firm. The staffing shortage remains the greatest stressor for teachers and administrators and staff. Please focus your budget discussions on strategies that address the staffing shortage. Strategies that address the staffing shortage naturally address hiring, retention, culture, and morale.

In the past I’ve spoken about the need for more resources in special education. We need to continue to try and staff elementary schools with IEP facilitators. The work-life balance of most assistant principals is non-existent. Assistant principals should be focused on instruction and student performance so there is a pipeline of people ready to lead schools. But assistant principals spend much of their time addressing student behavior, transportation, testing, and after school activities.

We need staffing strategies that support administrators with tasks not related to instruction so they can concentrate on being instructional leaders. Research tells us that teachers stay when they feel supported. We need to make sure administrators have the time and expertise to support.

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

Annual Salary Scale 2023

Here is the new CASE salary scale, which is effective beginning July 1, 2023.

Page 1:

Annual Salary Scale for CASE_eff 07.01.2023 pg 1

Page 2:

Annual Salary Scale for CASE_eff 07.01.2023 pg 2

Download the Salary Scale

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

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

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

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

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.