Teachers Protest School Reopening With Car Rally

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Anne Arundel County educators protested in-person classes and teacher pay with a car rally outside the Board of Education Wednesday night. Employees decked out their vehicles with posters and painted messages.

Educators honked their horns as they passed the school offices. Inside, board members debated a $1.4 billion budget, which includes $41.8 million in raises for teachers.

One sign said, "Masks are disposable. Teachers are not." Another read, "Fair wages. Safe Schools."

The teachers union, known as the Teachers Association of Anne Arundel County, has frequently demanded a written set of coronavirus precautions from the school system. Anne Arundel County Public Schools pointed to its safety guide and questioned the motivations of union President Russell Leone.

"It is most unfortunate that Mr. Leone has chosen to engage in the politics of deception," AACPS spokesperson Bob Mosier told WMAR news. "Our system’s reopening plans have, in fact, aligned with county, state, and federal guidance."

WMAR added that the union declined these measures, claiming they were too flimsy.

"We refused to sign off on the list of guidelines because we believe this environment requires more serious and clear written directives," Leone said in a statement to WMAR. "We reject the antagonistic and error-filled statements coming from AACPS and invite them, again, as we have for almost a year, to engage in the hard work of developing a written agreement."

Teachers returned to the classroom Thursday. Hybrid classes begin for interested students over the next month.

Masks will be required for all students and staff unless they have a disability that legally prevents them from wearing one. Desks will be spaced and buses will have one student per seat unless the learners live in the same home.

The union remains concerned about air quality in buildings and the availability of personal protective equipment. It also worries that most educators won't have the coronavirus vaccine before in-person instruction begins.

AACPS started immunizing teachers on Feb. 11, but the school system may not be done before hybrid classes start. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says educators can return to the classroom without the inoculation, so long as they are masked and distanced.

"It's all about safety, and it's all about equity," an unidentified union representative said in a video of the rally. "We need safety, and we need equity."

To see when you'll be eligible for the coronavirus inoculation, read Patch's explainer. Check out our how-to guide to learn how to sign up for the shot. Catch up on the latest coronavirus infection and vaccination metrics in Anne Arundel County by heading to our latest numbers update.

Like what you're reading? Invite a friend to subscribe to free Annapolis newsletters and real-time email alerts.

RELATED:

• Vaccine Update: 10 Percent Of Anne Arundel Has Gotten The Shot
• Coronavirus Vaccine: When You'll Be Eligible In Anne Arundel
• How To Get Coronavirus Vaccine In Anne Arundel County
• More Mental Health Workers Requested For Anne Arundel Schools
• Anne Arundel 'Recklessly' Sets Teacher Return Dates: Union

Have a story idea? Please contact me at jacob.baumgart@patch.com with any pitches, tips or questions. Follow me on Twitter @JacobBaumgart and on Facebook @JacobBaumgartJournalist to stay up-to-date with the latest Anne Arundel County and Prince George's County news.