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Statement from AFT-Maryland President Marietta English on the Great Mills High School Shooting

“It is heartbreaking to once again hear of a school shooting, this time here in Maryland at Great Mills High School in St. Mary's County. The entire federation’s main concern is for the safety and welfare of the students and staff of Great Mills. ...

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For Immediate Release
​March 12, 2018
Contact: Ray Baker
(410) 764-3030

AFT-Maryland Statement on Bill Changing Head of Baltimore City Schools Title from CEO to Superintendent

AFT-Maryland is disappointed that legislators would think this bill is an attempt to take power away from Dr. Santelises. We're even more disappointed that legislators would say that we "ought to be ashamed", particularly as an organization headed by black women. Our work seeks to uplift marginalized voices in the public sector, many of those being black women.

We reject the premise that public education should be modeled after business. That's a Betsy DeVos way of viewing education. Prior to Delegate Haynes withdrawing the bill, we would have been happy to discuss any concerns legislators may have had on this bill, especially legislators with whom we have a relationship.

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The Baltimore Teachers Union is very concerned about our PSRP members who received lay-off notices today. We are doing all we can to ensure those affected will ultimately be rehired.

STATEMENT FROM BTU PRESIDENT MARIETTA ENGLISH

Baltimore, MD-- Tonight our hearts are heavy and we echo the calls of the Gray family, clergy and Mayor Rawlings-Blake for peace as the city of Baltimore starts the healing process.

We are grateful that ...

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"After a long and sometimes hotly debated legislative session, the state is better for the admirable bi-partisan work done by the legislators. I want to start by thanking the state legislature for its efforts in finding the funds to educate our children across the state and also for keeping state worker pay as it is.

"This new school police plan is very disturbing to us at the Baltimore Teachers Union because we are now asking teachers, PSRPs, and principals to be responsible for one more thing other than the educational instruction of our city's students. Our members are not police..."

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Statement from BTU President, Marietta English on Baltimore Sun Article from 02/18/15: "City schools face $60 million deficit even without state cuts"

Baltimore, MD- Baltimore City's impending budget deficit is a serious problem that needs to be addressed. Any suggestion that the teacher contract is in large part responsible for the school system's deficit is not earnest on its face.

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