Former Aberdeen Middle School teacher Ryan Burbey acknowledges the firebrand reputation he earned advocating for teachers and teacher pay. As the newly elected head of the Harford County teachers’ union, Burbey says he hopes to adopt a more moderate approach and repair relationships with local officials to help improve Harford County Public Schools.
In late August, Burbey won a special election held by the Harford County Education Association (HCEA) to replace Randy Cerveny, the union’s former president. Cerveny resigned in July, partway into his second term – a term Cerveny won in 2011 defeating Burbey in a regular election by an overwhelming margin.
Rank and file members vote in the union’s regular elections, but in accordance with bylaws, the special election to replace Cerveny was limited to the union’s Representative Assembly, which is comprised of school building reps. Burbey declined to report the number of votes cast to elect him but said that a majority of schools were represented and eligible voters were notified of the August 23rd election. Burbey will serve for the remainder of Cerveny’s term, which ends in July 2014.
In a recent interview with The Dagger, the newly elected Burbey said he hadn’t yet talked to Harford County Council members or to County Executive David Craig – all of whom play a role in school funding and were on the receiving end of stinging public criticism from Burbey during the last budget cycle. “I think I’ve made it abundantly clear that nothing is more important than education,” Burbey said of his advocacy as a teacher.
As union president, Burbey said, he will be speaking on behalf of others and hopes for a fresh start with local officials. “I hope they see new beginnings,” Burbey said, adding that he wanted to build “cooperative relationships based on mutual respect.”
Larry Ginsburg, a director assigned to the local union by the Maryland State Education Association, attended The Dagger interview. Speaking of Burbey’s selection, Ginsburg said, “Ryan was elected for a reason. I think people were tired of the way [other] people talk about the profession.”
Looking Ahead
Changing the public’s view of teachers is also on Burbey’s agenda. “The perception of teachers is erroneous – that teachers aren’t doing a good job,” Burbey said, adding that teachers face “landmark changes.”
Among those changes is the transition to a new national curriculum known as the “Common Core”. Burbey said the union wanted to be involved as the new, more rigorous curriculum is put in place. Teacher evaluations are also in the process of changing, with teachers to be reviewed partly based on student test results. The new system must be negotiated with the union, and using test scores to evaluate teachers has “a number of pitfalls,” Burbey said.
Burbey wants to change the public perception of HCEA. Seen only as a labor advocacy group, Burbey said the union advocates for education and plans to highlight existing efforts including community outreach, scholarships and volunteerism by individual members.
Burbey also hopes to build flagging HCEA membership. The union has 1900 members, Burbey said, down from a high of 2100, which he attributed to a national climate where “teachers are bashed.”
While the union represents all 3200 Harford County teachers in labor negotiations with the school board, not all teachers are union members. Deciding to join the union is a “no-brainer”, Burbey said, because the union represents and protects members’ rights. In response to a question about a local teacher who was almost fired over false allegations, Burbey said that if the teacher had been a union member, union lawyers would have represented him for free.
Labor Turmoil
Following a breakdown in contract negotiations last year the union, under former president Cerveny, called for members to “work to rule” by declining to provide lunchtime tutoring or to run afterschool activities. More than 1000 educators from 30 schools joined the protests in May and June, staging walkouts at the end of their contracted work day. At the time, some teachers called for the action to continue into this year, potentially threatening the viability of school sports teams and other extra-curricular activities.
Defending last year’s action, Burbey said it highlighted how teachers take on extra work not because their contract requires it, but because they love their jobs and their students. For this school year, Burbey said the union’s board of directors had not taken action on whether “work to rule” would continue.
The teachers’ contract was eventually settled for this year to include a 1% salary increase for all teachers, plus a step increase for those who were eligible. Burbey said the current contract still leaves teachers three years behind on steps, explaining that an eighth-year teacher is being paid at a fifth year level. Asked about upcoming negotiations for next year’s contract, Burbey said, “I want to see education become a greater priority for the county.”
To offset the cost of salary increases, the school board cut 66 classroom and related positions for this year, which drew protests at the time from the union. So far, Burbey said he hadn’t heard complaints from teachers about resulting increases in class size, but he said that even a small number of extra students affected teachers’ work load and that class sizes demonstrably affect student achievement.
Speaking of the labor turmoil of last year, Burbey said, “I hope the acrimony in the past is just that.”
Havre de Grace High School
Burbey declined to weigh in on the controversy over the modernization of Havre de Grace High School, which the school board has not identified as a priority but County Executive Craig has said he plans to fund. Rather than picking and choosing, Burbey said the real problem is adequate funding for quality, safe and modern schools. “The money is there” at the county level, Burbey said, adding that raising taxes was not necessarily the answer and calling on county officials to set new priorities.
A New Role
A Harford County native, Burbey said he attended Hickory Elementary School for two years but grew up in Red Lion, PA. By the time he returned to Harford County Public Schools, he was as an experienced teacher. He spent the last eight years teaching English at Aberdeen Middle, where he was also the department chair. Settling into his new job as head of the school system’s largest union, Burbey said, “I’m excited in my new role and I look forward to building better schools in Harford County.”
Great, another self avowed communist involved in public school matters.
Kit,
Based on past experience with what he has said, and written, I am no Ryan Burbey fan. I am not saying you are wrong but could you provide some support for your charge that he is a “self avowed communist”. Again, not saying you are wrong, but a fairly serious charge to bring without some support.
Alex – Once again we agree which puzzles me.
I hope he becomes more “middle of the road” if he is going to represent all of the teachers in the school system. He also needs to act and sound more like a professional. HCEA has burned a lot of bridges with a lot of teachers and others.
What happened to the ponytail and beard? Do not always agree with HCEA but for those that question the value of membership one only need look at the recent situation where a teacher was accused of biting a student. Eventually those allegations were not substantiated and the teacher has his job back but it cost him thousands of dollars out of his own pocket to defend himself. As Mr. Burbey said had he been an HCEA member the union would have paid for a lawyer, but one of their choosing not his. I am not so sure Mr. Burbey can rebuild the many bridges he has burned over the years. Statements made in the heat of argument or emotion usually express the true feelings of the person making them and so I wouldn’t expect the county exec, co council, or the sch board to have warm and fuzzy feelings for Mr. Burbey when he goes to them hat in hand looking for HCEA pay raises.
Maybe he thinks they will not recognize him now
Nice way to start off with some transparency as he always advocated of government with the statement, “Burbey declined to report the number of votes cast to elect him…”. It goes both ways.
And less than 60% of the teachers are members of HCEA! Wow, that says something! And not “… to a national climate where ‘teachers are bashed.’ ” as he states. More likely due to lack of good reasons to join (poor leadership, lack of support, no value, etc.)
And do you think “…that if the teacher had been a union member, union lawyers would have represented him for free.” that the representation would have been adequate? Would the results have been the same or better? Or would he have been sold out for a “higher cause”?
That would be interesting, how many representatives voted for Burbey, and how many voted for alternate candidates? How many representatives did not vote?
If you’re going to have a special election with participation of only a limited number of people, it should require 100% for a quorum and open ballots. Without that, how can teachers at each school decide if their representative is actually representing them, or if they need to vote for a replacement?
As we all know, you get what you pay for…
– Not “paying” for a lawyer is one thing,but what kind of quality lawyer are you getting? From what I’ve seen with all of the mess lately I would NOT be comfortable with them choosing an attorney OR using an attorney of theirs.
– The leadership over the last few years has been laughable. Yes, we got a raise, but that is even laughable. That raise was not because of the union. We are STILL behind where we should be.
– The Board cries poor and then rolls out a whole new logo … hmmmmm. There go our raises for the next 5 years. How many thousands of dollars did they spend on that one? Our raise was just a bone to not complaine about $$ spent on this logo!
– If anyone read even some of the comments Burbrey made on the Dagger in the past, they would NOT have voted for him. The simple fact that the number of votes was not disclosed says something!
– I actually have MORE $$ in my pocket by NOT joining the union.
THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING FOR ME!
“Burbey also hopes to build flagging HCEA membership. The union has 1900 members, Burbey said, down from a high of 2100, which he attributed to a national climate where “teachers are bashed.””
Or a climate where a labor group charges $600/yr to be a member and bumbles through PR disasters while demanding more pay in a horrible economic recession.
“The teachers’ contract was eventually settled for this year to include a 1% salary increase for all teachers, plus a step increase for those who were eligible. Burbey said the current contract still leaves teachers three years behind on steps, explaining that an eighth-year teacher is being paid at a fifth year level. Asked about upcoming negotiations for next year’s contract, Burbey said, “I want to see education become a greater priority for the county.””
The County should have had Cerveny sign a consent decree that the step and 1% were the final adjustment for all years prior to 1 August 2012. Without that, Burbey could start “work to rule” and continue it until all of those steps are applied, regardless of what it does to taxes and public opinion.
“Speaking of the labor turmoil of last year, Burbey said, “I hope the acrimony in the past is just that.””
Try to fleece the tax payers for more steps and see what that does to public opinion.
“Settling into his new job as head of the school system’s largest union, Burbey said, “I’m excited in my new role and I look forward to building better schools in Harford County.””
I bet he won’t complain about being unable to pay the bills anymore.
Elections have consequences, this country has watched it with Obama, this state has suffered with it under O’Malley, and now HCEA members will see it with Burbey. Can HCEA members start a recall petition?
If Mr. Burbey wants to change the public opinion of the HCEA, he will think before he speaks and realize that taxpayers pay dearly for education. If he wants to change the teacher opinion of the HCEA he will become involved in issues as a sane and informed leader and drop the liberalism that was shown by the last president. He needs to stop whining and present an unemotional view of teachers. If he can do this, the public will support teachers. Teachers do far more than teach their subject matter and they spend many hours at home planning and grading papers, far more than most people. As far as time off, their summers are not off for the majority of teachers. I know these things for a fact. Now, having said this, get off of it and deal honestly with the government that is going to finance education. Trust is a two way street, as one of the earlier posters pointed out. You need to earn their trust also, especially after the last president tried to embarass the County Executive. Good luck.
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Monster, that is some good and sound advice. Even if followed to the letter, though, we all know it won’t make a bit of difference in the end.
I think Mr Burbey’s previous comments on Dagger, Facebook, etc, will come back to haunt him in his dealings with the County. Unfortunately, that won’t affect his salary, just the teachers’.
Maybe I missed where it was reported, but who ran against Burbey for HCEA President? I do not believe that the VP, Greg Plotycia, ran for the office. Maybe Burbey ran unopposed because no one else wanted to be the public face of a union that has a bad public relations problem and no real negotiating power.
We’re going from the frying pan into the fire now!
I say give the guy a chance. Calling someone a communist is a bit much.
I say give the guy a chance. Calling someone a communist is a bit much.
I’d suggest searching Dagger for previous discussions featuring commentary by Mr Burbey before saying that. He’s been a regular commentator on school matters for a long time, and the veneer can’t hide his true political leanings.
Maybe not a communist, just a socialist.
And it looks like he has hidden his facebook page. Smart move…hide your tracks.
I continue to await Kit’s “self avowed communist” proof. How about it, Kit.
I met him at a local restaurant a few years ago. He was giving the bartender a hard time about butter being on his vegetables while he was enjoying several Bombay Sapphires and tonic. We had gotten into a political discussion about the upcoming election (Obama V Mcain) It was during this conversation that he informed the bartender that he was a teacher, and stated he was a Communist. The bartender laughed at him and walked away. I had totally forgotten about him until I saw the picture associated with the article. I have listened to many conversations this guy has had out side of the school. He fits right in with the rest of the Marxies. Dont be surprised if Omalley appoints him to so special position in the state.
Kit, I hope that even O’Malley is not that stupid.
Mr. Burbey’s tenure as HCEA will be short lived, until the next election when he will be voted out. It is only because of current HCEA rules (which should be changed) pertaining to filling a midterm vacancy that Mr. Burbey got this chance. He is too radical and had there been a new general election someone (almost anyone) else would have won. For the most part teachers in Harford County are fairly conservative. I know that some will disagree with that assessment based on last years work to rule rallies and recent actions of HCEA leadership. Even conservatives will demonstrate when they feel unjustly treated or put upon by government, in this case the County Executive, County Council and the Board of Education. You need look no further than the rise of the tea party movement as an example.
This could be a first…an established teacher actually left Pennsylvania to work in Maryland. Is this the same Pennsylvania that pays teachers 110% of their salary upon retirement? This is the Pennsylvania that’s Philadelphia in the east, Pittsburgh in the west and Alabama in the middle, right? Hmmmmm
Otto, maybe it is a sign of which we all should be aware. Why would he teach in Harford County, Md.? Why did we hire him? Is this the best we could get for the salary we pay? Questions that we had better think about.
could he be double dipping?
CDEV, probably not double dipping. He didn’t have enough years in to retire. But it raises a question. Why did he leave a better paying job in PA. Maybe that is a question we should all ask in view of his constant posts about his salary here.
Just to fill in the biographical info: Burbey said he was a teacher in Baltimore before he came to Harford County. He grew up in PA but as far as I know, he didn’t teach there.
Always seemed like Burbey showed up to every council meeting demanding higher taxes for higher salaries; and with the ponytail and slovenly clothes he looked all the part of a middle-aged, Berkeleyish activist. Somehow now with the hair cut, slicked back and the suburban hipster shirt he now resembles creepy Uncle Sam – the weird relative that nobody wants to talk to at Thanksgiving.
You mean the one that smelled funny and was a little “too friendly”?
With the dried mustard stain on his shirt – exactly; that one.
Burbanites unite!
Our royal excellency will take care of us all now.
…now starting countdown to next election
I just noticed this article again, and I saw something I missed the first time. The very first line of the article calls Burbey a “former Aberdeen Middle School teacher”. Is he still teaching? If so, where? If not, how can he be president of the union if he isn’t a teacher?
The president of the union is a full-time position. Teachers step down from their current teaching position to serve as the union president. When their term is up, they go back to the classroom.
I was not aware of that. Was AMS allowed to fill that position, or was that one that got eliminated to pay for their pay raises?
It was filled. The position cut was in physical education at Aberdeen according to the press release in the article on the front page.
Silly, you are not following your manifesto. Unions are’nt for working, and Communism is for the people, not the Communists.