Thread by @Silver_Chips

NEW—Contract-related tension between @MCPS and the teachers union (@mceanea) is starting to settle. On Monday, @mceanea sent members an “update on our process in impact negotiations,” which said they expect to share a full memorandum of understanding “in the coming days.”

THREAD

On June 29, the Board of Education (@mocoboe) voted to extend the contract by a month—to July 31—hoping to avoid an impasse.

For background on the negotiations process, read this @BethesdaBeat article by @CaitlynnPeetz14: bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/….

Monday’s email from @mceanea described “significant gains” for special educators, as those with caseloads over 18 will be provided additional support—such as “re-evaluated staffing, other substitute days, para educator support... and additional secretarial support.”

@MCPS also agreed to provide more resources to the ESOL program. The testing/screening of new ESOL students will be conducted by the central office, and the results will be shared with individual schools.

To increase equity and access, @MCPS will work towards providing bilingual tech support to students and families.

The two parties agreed that @MCPS will provide updated Chromebooks, which will include access to a Windows desktop, to all educators.

The email update included information about educators’ responsibilities during their planning week—August 24- 28, the week before school starts—and the school year.

@mceanea also successfully negotiated paid leave for staff members infected with covid-19.