Time to Advocate for Educational Leaders
AEL and the Board have reached a tentative agreement on the Board’s compensation proposal only, which includes a 2% Step Equivalent and a 3% COLA. Please note that this tentative agreement remains contingent upon the final approval of the County budget. Other non-economic contract language proposals are still being negotiated.
Currently, the County Council’s proposed budget includes funding for a 2% Step Equivalent and a 2.25% COLA. Upcoming County budget hearings and the final adoption of the County budget on June 15 will determine the final amount available for compensation, which may alter the current tentative compensation portion of the tentative agreement.
Following the County’s final budget approval, the entire remaining agreement must then be ratified by both the AEL membership and the Board of Education at the June 17 Board Meeting in order for compensation adjustments to be implemented effective July 1.
This is why we need every possible AEL member at the County Council meeting on Tuesday, May 19 at 7:00 PM at Severn Run High School.
The Executive Team of AEL is not all that AEL is. AEL is all 338 of our members.
We need the County Council to see and hear the people behind the work. Principals. Assistant Principals. Coordinators. Special Assistants. Leaders who show up every single day for students, staff, families, and communities. Wear your AEL gear. Sit together. Be visible. Speak up if you are able. Your presence matters.
The reality is that many school systems around us are already facing significant budget challenges. The fiscal forecast ahead is not especially promising. We cannot afford to assume that someone else will advocate for us. We need to speak up, speak out, and remind our elected officials that investing in schools is investing in the future of Anne Arundel County.
This is bigger than one percentage point. This is about respect for the work, the increasing demands placed on school leaders, and ensuring AACPS can recruit and retain strong administrators in the years ahead.
If you are unable to attend in person, there are still ways to participate. Members of the public can submit testimony ahead of time, sign up to provide spoken testimony, or watch/listen to meetings remotely using the County Council participation tools available here:
Anne Arundel County Council Meeting Participation Information
We know this is a busy time of year. Schools are moving at full speed right now.
This moment matters! We hope to see a strong AEL presence on Tuesday, May 19, 7 PM at Severn Run High School.
Tracey Ahern
AEL President
