MSTA: Maryland State Teachers Association

Statement by Maryland State Teachers Association President Clara Floyd on Slots Referendum Language

State budget gap widens
Education funding remains at risk
The General Assembly's top budget analyst, Warren Descheneaux, reported this week that lagging receipts from income, sales and other taxes could leave a new hole of about $200 million in the state's budget. This comes on top of a projected gap in the FY 2010 budget which, if the November slots referendum does not pass, would have to be closed entirely with spending cuts or new taxes.

In the news:
State Could Face $200 Million Gap
Analysts expect another shortfall

Specialists retain job rights and protections after MSTA, Locals and members speak out
Responding to the outcry from OT/PTs, audiologists and speech-language pathologists across the state, the Professional Standards and Teacher Education Board (PSTEB) voted unanimously Tuesday to rescind the proposed rule change affecting thousands of these high-demand specialists.

The Maryland State Department of Education said it will present a revised proposal to PSTEB that it believes will meet the needs of MSTA, its members, and affiliated organizations. MSTA will monitor this closely to ensure that these valued employees maintain their current rights and protections.

“I would like to offer an enormous thank you to everyone for your tremendous effort on this issue. We were told that PSTEB received more than 2,000 emails, letters, petition signatures, and other correspondence on this issue in just a matter of weeks!” said MSTA President Clara Floyd in an e-mailed statement.

Read President Floyd's statement >>

Delegates: Send your child to
"Camp MSTA"!
Coming as a delegate to this year's convention? Now you can enjoy MSTA's RA, exhibits and workshops without leaving your children at home or worrying about their safety at a hotel. MSTA's new “Camp MSTA” child care service (Theme: “Sailing Around the World with MSTA”) offers delegates and their families complete child care on October 17 & 18, 8 am-4:30 pm. Lunch and snacks provided. $20 per child per day. Children ages 12 months to 12 years welcome!

MSTA's child care provider, ACCENT on Children's Arrangements, Inc., will take the first 20 children for whom registration and payment are submitted. To register online, visit www.accentoca.com/campmsta08. To mail or fax registration ($10 additional fee per child), download the registration form. Registration deadline = October 3, 2008.