Town Hall Meeting To Tackle Teacher Pension Shift

Ray Leone, president of the Anne Arundel County Council PTA, will join elected officials and educators Monday in a town hall meeting to discuss Maryland’s education issues.

Policymakers and more than 100 teachers throughout the state will gather in Annapolis to address public school funding, the maintenance of effort law and more. Leone said one of the biggest topics on the table will be Gov. Martin O’Malley’s proposed teacher pension shift from state to county governments. The immediate legislation would cost more than $240 million throughout the state.

The shift would cause Anne Arundel County $20 million alone in its first year and more than $30 million in the second year, Leone said.

“No matter what side you fall on, $20 million is just not there,” Leone said.

Anne Arundel County Executive John R. Leopold has until April 15 to complete his proposed budget for fiscal year 2013. After considering the budget sent to him by the Board of Education, Leopold will have to figure out where he removes $20 million to cover the potential teacher pension shift, Leone said.

Leone said the town hall meeting will also address teacher salary increases—something they haven’t received in more than four years.

Leone will be joined by state senators, Maryland delegates and Prince George’s County school officials, but Leone is expected to be the only town hall participant currently working or representing Anne Arundel County.

The town hall will begin at 5 p.m. Monday at the Governor Calvert House, located at 58 State Circle in Annapolis.