The Caroline County Education Association Education Support Professionals and the Caroline County Board of Education signed a negotiated agreement at the April board meeting. The board voted unanimously to approve the agreement, which union members had ratified in March.
Robert Willoughby, Director of Administrative Services and Chief Negotiator for CCPS, explained that the agreement had largely been closed for a period of years and was due to expire on June 30, 2025. Despite the daunting task of negotiating the entire agreement, he said they were able to come to a table agreement after only four meetings.
“This was not a contentious process, not smoke and mirrors, not sliding papers across a desk,” Dr. Willoughby said. “This was collaboration and conversation.” He added that Superintendent Dr. Simmons and the Board of Education had provided clear leadership and a strong commitment to an updated agreement they felt support employees deserve.
Dr. Willoughby noted that it was unprecedented in Caroline to reach an agreement prior to the end of the Maryland General Assembly Legislative Session and without knowing the exact amount of state funding CCPS will receive for the 2025-2026 budget. “We have an agreement that is going to invest over 2.5 million into our support staff,” he said, “and that’s because the Board of Education has made it a priority and they are committed to it.”
The agreement includes:
Salary increases; COLA equivalents from 12% for the lowest earning positions to 5% across the board
Expanded eligibility for full time insurance by making the criteria six hours of work per day instead of seven. This results in coverage for more employees with full time benefits, thereby drastically reducing the cost of insurance.
A Grow Your Own Program to help continue the work of the Maryland LEADs Program which enables instructional assistants to be supported while earning their teaching degree.
Expanded opportunities for salary add-ons (professional certifications and other credentials) to encourage and honor additional education and training.
The agreement is for a five-year term, with the parties returning to the table each year to discuss salary and one article that each entity (the Board and the Association) may open.
Dr. Willoughby summarized the agreement by saying, “Largely the theme … was aligning language to the teacher agreement, so across the board, where appropriate and where available, we have one set of rules for all our employees, whether support staff, teachers or administrators. That is something that we are very proud of.”
Dr. Willoughby also noted that it is often heard, “we do things a little differently in Caroline.” This was evidenced by the fact that CCEA-ESP had a Town Hall to review the contract and invited Dr. Willoughby, enabling him and CCEA President Amy Bauman to collaboratively and collectively explain the changes.
Dr. Willougby thanked Ms. Bauman and said how appreciative he and Dr. Simmons were of the relationship that has developed between the union and CCPS. He also recognized the negotiating team members:
CCEA-ESP: Susan Algier, GES Instructional Assistant; Sheldon Neal, Maintenance Worker II; Nick Marshall, Vice President of Educational Support Personnel and GES Head Custodian; Darlene Schwaeble, DES Secretary; and Dennis Younce, Computer Technician.
CCPS: Bill Mengel, Director of Operations; Jill Hignutt, Chief Finance Officer; Jen Yost, Supervisor of Health Services; Neil Lambert, CRMS Assistant Principal; Beth Brewster, Supervisor of Food Services; Debbie Siachos, Coordinator of Human Resources; and Chuck Ackerson, Data Systems Manager.
Teresa Miles, Uniserv Representative – Dr. Willoughby recognized Ms. Miles importance in the process.
Following a unanimous vote by the board, President Michele Wayman thanked everyone involved for accomplishing this important work. She recognized former board member and president Mr. Rick Barton who was in the audience, and noted that he was an early driving force behind making sweeping changes to the previous agreement.
Dr. Simmons also thanked everyone involved. “It was important to us that we recreate the family feeling that had been here and lost, and we were finally at that point (with this contract),” he said. He added that it was critical to put into practice our belief that every employee is valued and honored.
All event photos may be viewed on the Caroline Flickr page