Educators Continue Event Series to Highlight Local Consequences of Withholding Funding
This morning, the Maryland State Education Association (MSEA) launched a new video and digital advertising campaign, asking Marylanders to urge Gov. Hogan to release $68 million in education funding included in the General Assembly’s passed budget.
“School districts are being forced to consider bad options, including class size increases, cuts in educator positions, and the discontinuation of programs while Gov. Hogan withholds this crucial funding,” said MSEA President Betty Weller. “Educators, parents, and elected officials from both parties are urging the governor to move swiftly and release this funding to make sure that it can help our students and avoid negative consequences for our schools.”
The campaign includes a relaunched DontShortChangeMaryland.com website, which was first introduced in February after Gov. Hogan proposed cutting $144 million from public schools. The General Assembly restored $132 million of those cuts, but Gov. Hogan still needs to release the $68 million that comes from the Geographic Cost of Education Index (GCEI). The 30-second pre-roll ad—which will run on sites like Hulu and Facebook—features a ticking clock to emphasize the urgency surrounding the governor’s decision, and encourages Marylanders to take action at DontShortchangeMaryland.com. It can be viewed here.
A broad, bipartisan coalition of educators, parents, school board members, superintendents, county officials, and state legislators have been holding local events since the end of the legislative session to urge Gov. Hogan to release this funding for our schools. Previously, events were held in Anne Arundel and Frederick Counties, and events are planned this week in Baltimore, Charles, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s Counties.
Prince George’s County Event
WHEN: Monday, May 4 at 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Prince George’s County Education Association, 8008 Marlboro Pike, Forestville
SPEAKERS: Prince George’s County Public Schools CEO Kevin Maxwell, Thornton Commission Chairman Dr. Alvin Thornton, House Delegation Chair Jay Walker (D-Prince George’s), Senate Delegation Chair Doug Peters (D-Prince George’s), and PGCEA President Ken Haines
Baltimore County Event
WHEN: Monday, May 4 at 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: Dulaney High School Satellite Cafeteria, 255 E Padonia Rd, Timonium
SPEAKERS: Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, Speaker Pro Tem Adrienne Jones (D-Baltimore), Baltimore County House Delegation Chair Steve Lafferty (D-Baltimore), County Council Chair Cathy Bevins, School Board President David Uhlfelder, and PTA Council President Emory Young
Montgomery County Event
WHEN: Tuesday, May 5 at 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: Student Commons at Walter Johnson High School, 6400 Rock Spring Dr, Bethesda
SPEAKERS: Senate Delegation Chair Nancy King (D-Montgomery), House Majority Leader Anne Kaiser (D-Montgomery), Montgomery County Education Association President Doug Prouty, Montgomery County Public Schools Interim SuperintendentLarry Bowers, Board of Education President Patricia O’Neill, Montgomery County Council of PTAs President Frances Frost, Montgomery County Association of Administrators and Principals President James Koutsos, Montgomery County NAACP Parents’ Council Chairman Byron Johns, Service Employees International Union, Local 500 President Merle Cuttita, Identity Executive Director Diego Uriburu, and Walter Johnson High School Principal Jennifer Baker
Howard County Event
WHEN: Wednesday, May 6 at 12:00 p.m.
WHERE: Howard County Department of Education, 10910 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City
SPEAKERS: To be announced
Charles County Event
WHEN: Thursday, May 7 at 4:30 p.m.
WHERE: McConchie One-Room African American School Building, Charles County Fairgrounds, 8440 Fairground Rd, La Plata
SPEAKERS: To be announced
