Busloads of Harford County teachers will head to Annapolis on March 14, joining a statewide rally against proposed funding cuts to public schools and services, according to Randy Cerveny, president of the Harford County Education Association. The Harford County contingent, which Cerveny said will number at least 300, will march in a “Rally to Keep the Promise” promoted by the Maryland State Education Association (MSEA) and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). The protest is expected to draw thousands to the state capitol.
Of the $100 million in proposed cuts to education statewide, Harford County Public Schools stand to lose close to $4.3 million, according to MSEA. Cerveny told The Dagger that the cuts were measured against funding levels prescribed by the original Thornton funding formula, a state education funding formula based on recommendations from the Maryland Commission on Education Finance, Equity and Excellence. Dr. Alvin Thornton, chairman of the Commission is expected to be a keynote speaker at the rally, along with Richard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO.
Here’s the full text of the press release from the Harford County Education Association:
Thousands to Rally to Keep the Promise to Our Schools and Essential Public Services on March 14
March 12, 2011, Annapolis, MD — Thousands of Marylanders will Rally to Keep the Promise on March 14 in Annapolis, protesting the proposed cuts to education, essential public services, and the retirement security of educators, police, health care workers, librarians, and many more hard-working Marylanders. At least six busloads of educators and community members from Harford County will be making the trip to Annapolis.
The rally will reflect the massive public opposition to the proposed education cuts and the cuts-only approach that some elected officials have taken to the budget. A recent Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research poll found that 82% of registered voters in Maryland oppose the proposed $100 million cut in school funding and a majority supports a balanced budgetary approach that produces new revenue to protect the services that voters care about.
“Our priority must be protecting our schools and the public services that we depend on every day,” said Randy Cerveny Local President of the Harford County Education Association. “These proposed cuts would be devastating to our hard-working teachers and public servants—our friends and neighbors—and most tragically to our children and the quality of life in our state. On March 14, educators, parents, and thousands of Marylanders from Harford County and across the state will urge legislators to keep the promise to our children and our state by avoiding these drastic cuts,” said Cerveny.
Community and advocacy groups from across the state will participate in the rally, which will begin at the Naval Stadium and conclude at Lawyer’s Mall. “Cuts to public education will potentially increase class sizes and cause revered teachers to retire earlier, devastating the ranks of our school system.”
Additional information about the rally can be found at www.rallytokeepthepromise.com.
MacG says
If the teachers are in Annapolis who is teaching the children on March 14?
pizzle says
So, are tax dollars being used to fund the TIME the protesters are using during what would otherwise be a normal working day? Meaning, are the protesters taking a vacation day, unpaid day (paid for by their union) or “sick day” to attend the event? I’m just wondering how that works. I really don’t know. In the case of a vacation day or sick day, then I guess it’s being funded by tax payers?
Gary Ambridge says
When does your work day END? Teachers are not leaving for this protest until the END of their work day. Are they the only ones that are concerned about the education of YOUR children?
decoydude says
Pizzle & MacG – I too support small government and responsible spending. I am fiscally very conservative and a political independent. Your anger and frustration should be directly on career politicians of both parties who are getting “fat” on our tax dollars and spending like an out of control teenagers with their parents’ credit card. If you did your homework or DD, you would know that the teachers who are attending the events in Annapolis are leaving after their work day is over (about 4:15 – 4:30pm). Hey, its their dime and their time. Perhaps, unlike the two of you, I would encourage all individuals and groups to get involved in this great process called democracy and let their voices be heard. I may not fully agree with them, but I support their constitutional right to free speech and assembly. Quit being pawns in party politics and join the fight to take this country back from corrupt political parties who are in bed with lobbyists and promoted by propaganda from FOX, MSNBC and others. Your neighbors and the middle class are not your enemies or are they?
pizzle says
WTF is your problem? I was asking a legitimate question to which I did not know the answer. Back off, you prick.
decoydude says
Pizzle- Since you did not play nicely(calling me a bad name did not help your cause), then, I am going to have to say “No”. By the way, have a nice day.
pizzle says
I want to know what part of my original question was inflammatory or otherwise presented me as feeling like my neighbors were my enemy, or that I’m against the right to protest? Please enlighten me, since you’ve apparently got all the answers.
ced says
@decoydude seems to me all Pizzle and Macg were asking, was were the teachers taking the entire day off to attend the rally and if so, how was the teachers absence going to be handled. i read the article and didn’t really see any time frames when the rally was to take place only a date, Mar 14th.
Cdev says
had you went to the link you would see the answer to your question.
ced says
had i seen the link i would have. and my opinion is to ban all unions
Cdev says
That is fine that it is your opinion to ban unions. I would suggest that before you begin your quest you might want to learn how to read and see thing’s, like links that are there.
LeAnn says
I heard they are meeting and leaving AFTER the school day has ended – it is an evening rally…
Teacher says
The teachers who attended the rally left after their school day was complete. No one missed any educational time to attend this rally.
MdDEM says
I guess the Tea Baggers are the only one allowed to protest.
GO TEACHERS !!!!
Phil Dirt says
How typical. The simplest post must include a derogatory, homophobic slur.
amazed... says
I’m all for the teachers. Their union has proven itself a worthless scam. However, if you’re using what you hope to be a derogatory, inflammatory term “tea-bagger” for those who see that the Federal government is the largest employer in the US with over 2 million employees (plus another 700,000 in the post office) and that according to federaljobs.net which proudly points out: “The average annual federal workers compensation, including pay plus benefits, now exceeds $119,982 compared to just $59,909 for the private sector according to the United States Bureau of Economic Analysis.”, (remember, that’s AVERAGE)then I must also call myself a “tea-bagger” and ignore your snide innuendos.
Gary Ambridge says
The analysis is based on data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis and crudely done by dividing total compensation (salary and benefits) by the number of current federal civilian employees. Comparing such averages is quite misleading, for two reasons:
?First, BEA says the figure is inflated by including compensation that is actually paid to benefit retirees, not just for current workers. The figure is at least several thousand dollars too high, by our calculations.
?Second, the average federal civilian worker is better educated, more experienced and more likely to have management or professional responsibilities than the average private worker.
Officially, the Office of Personnel Management says federal civilian workers on average are paid 24 percent less than private workers — a figure based on surveys conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and often cited by unions and their Democratic allies.
RealityCheck says
Don’t worry O’Malley will do what he normally does and cave to the demands and not really make any serious cuts. His voting block depends on entitlements and unfunded programs so why would he bite the hand that feeds him. While at the same time raising Gas Tax, Alcohol Tax, Tobacco Tax, Vehicle Registration Fees, etc. “A Fee is a Tax” I remember someone saying that during a campaign don’t any of you. He’s rolling out business and future entrepreneurs to other states faster than Wal-mart prices.
But of course when O’Malley shows up in Harford County council meetings with an Annapolis suit, tan, and John Edwards hairdo….somehow folks pull that lever. Don’t want to hear it. You get the government you deserve.
decoydude says
If you want change, you can’t continue to play the party politics game. In many ways there is really very little difference between the two parties. They are both controlled by lobbyists working for large corporations. Take off the political blinders and see both sides for what they are – bought and paid for! Does it really make a difference if they are owned by different corporations. Big banks, big pharma, big oil – does it really matter? Keep drinking the Republican party Kool-Aid. Of course, to be “fair and balanced”, an equal number are also sipping the Dem’s special flavored Koo-Aid too. It is time to take a stand for all the hard-working, middle class taxpayers. Yes, that includes small business owners, teachers, entrepreneurs, police, engineers, fire fighters, state and municipal workers and all others. Stand united and we can prevail. Continue to fight each other for the cause of party politics, and we will be sucked dry by the big government spending machine.
Cdev says
If you are refering to teachers I did not know their pension was an entitlement. I thought they earned that?
I also don’t remember O’Malley promising to not raise taxes.
Furthermore both parties screw you in the end.
Rob in Bel Air says
You forget too easily when it comes to your party. He indeed said that he would not raise taxes. However, he is letting the legislature do his dirty work. You see, O’Mally has bigger political ambitions . . . and do not want to anger the voters (although that seems not to matter with most voters in this state bacuse they have very, very short memories – the goof balls are always voted back in).
For O’Malley, it’s all about him . . .
Cdev says
I am a republican who thinks with a mind of my own!
Floyd The Barber says
@CDEV
What makes you a Republican?
Your posts support progressive positions.
Floyd The Barber
Cdev says
The fact that I registered with that party. I happen to think for myself instead of taking talking points from someone else though so I would not be suprised those who are members of CFL or AFP would not agree with my point of view or try to label me a “progressive”
Floyd The Barber says
@Cdev You opinions are not conservative talking points for sure.
You are a progressive, so why don’t you say
I’m a liberal and I’m proud”?
Cdev says
SO are you saying that if someone is not conservative they can not stillbe republican. Furthermore there is no middle ground. I am a moderate republican. I think for myself and do not need talking points! I am not liberal I am liberal on certian issues more in line with the libertarian principals the GOP used to champion. I certianly do not agree with the hard line element that coopted the GOP.
Floyd The Barber says
@Cdev You don’t need to apologize for being liberal.
Floyd The Barber
Cdev says
@ Floyd I am not appologizing nor have I ever been a liberal. I am a moderate. I am sorry that you can not think for yourself.
Floyd The Barber says
@Cdev, Well then, what political beliefs do you hold in common with the Republican Party?
Floyd The Barber
MdDEM says
Why aren’t you Tea Baggers complaining about in state tuition for illegals or how about the taxpayer bailout for the dying racing industry and the one person who owns the tracks ?
Rob in Bel Air says
Thank GOD for us Tea Baggers. We are in disagreement with the tuition issue, but we are very busy in Washington D. C. trying to keep the President from destroying our country. We would appreciate your help by stop voting democrat. That would help stop the illegal immigration issue in MD. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Regulardude says
You Boneheads put Christy O’Donnel and that hot Alaskan chick in the mix and they are both fools. Either get more qualified candidates or go back to to hole under a rock you crawled out from.
Regulardude says
Rob,
We told you before to chill out and say something positive. Do you have a Magician or Psychic for the next election? HAHAHAHAHA
Teabagging is what I used to have my girlfriend do.
Rob in Bel Air says
Regulardude or Duderegular . . . whatever you go by . . . who are WE. I think it is just you . . . some poor sap.
Regulardude says
Rob,
grow up. The Tea Party was a good idea at first. Somehow, it became a bastion of uber right wing zealots who want religion to have a say in government. Many, not all, of the Tea Party candidates were aweful. The nut job from Delaware was the absolute worst representative the Tea Party could muster up. Alaskan Hottie was better but still, not exactly leadership material.
The Tea Party is doing the right thing by bringing issues up for discussion and generating more open dialogue.
You on the other hand, have me and so many other worried. Step back to the center of the road and respect the fact that most people are moderates.
Rob in Bel Air says
Regulardude,
I understand your dislike for the Tea Party . . . the party shredded your party in the House this time around. I will agree that the Tea Party selected some weak candidates; but democrats make stupid decisions as well. Obama is the prime example.