Strong Support for Slots Referendum is Victory for Maryland Public Schools
In an election filled with convincing victories for public education, voters in Maryland overwhelmingly voted to support students in Maryland with a 59% landslide victory for the slots referendum. Every county and Baltimore City backed Question 2 by clear majorities, ending the years-long debate on legalizing slot machines in Maryland.
“We’re elated about this outcome because the people of Maryland have loudly reaffirmed that our children must come first,” says Clara Floyd, president of the Maryland State Teachers Association (MSTA). “All along we have emphasized that our support of this referendum has everything to do with increased funds for public schools, and we are pleased that the public has heard us.” Read more
Kratovil declares victory!
MSTA-endorsed Frank Kratovil has declared victory in the hotly contested 1st Congressional District race! Andy Harris conceded to Kratovil Tuesday after a week of counting the district’s provisional and absentee votes. Read more
Queen Anne's educators hit trail for candidates
Educators from Kratovil's home county Queen Anne's already had much to celebrate as they anxiously awaited the final returns in the Kratovil race this week. An unprecedented organizing effort was led by the Queen Anne's County Education Association on behalf of the five endorsed candidates for the county's first-ever elected school board. The result? All five emerged victorious!
Before and on Election Day, 60 dedicated teachers, ESP and their families made phone calls, passed out T-shirts and flyers, handed out sample ballots, donated to their PAC to pay for newspaper ads, and used personal time to work the polls.
Photo Gallery: Election Day across the state
MSTA speaks out on health care for all
Vice President Betty Weller and representatives of other organizations advocating for quality, affordable health care last week welcomed five Maryland members of Congress to the broad coalition supporting the national Health Care for America Now campaign. Weller noted that Maryland ranks a disappointing 31st in the nation in the number of uninsured children, who often suffer greater difficulty learning because of illnesses, lack of proper dental or eye care, and frequent absences due to health reasons.
“Health insurance that provides timely and adequate health care treatment will strengthen families and help to reduce some of the barriers that children and educators face as together they pursue a quality education,” Weller said.
It passed!
Delegates vote for historic name change
It was nearly unanimous! After 141 years as the MSTA, delegates to last week's Convention 2008 voted for change. Beginning during the 2009-2010 school year, MSTA will officially become the Maryland State Education Association!
“Everyone knew it was something whose time had come. MSTA isn't just about teachers,” said Donna Schulze, Howard County vice president, who lobbied five years for the change. “It's about everybody. We have bus drivers, administrators, cafeteria workers, guidance counselors and many, many more job classifications. We don't think of ourselves as teachers, but we are educators.” Learn more | See photos
Other RA highlights
New Business Items highlighted MSTA's concerns on student dropout rates, pensions, modular classrooms, student obesity, mental health and more. Find out what passed and what didn't! Read the NBIs
Speeches
Check out the MSTA OnLine Convention speeches page. You'll find video and text excerpts of speeches by Governor O'Malley, MSTA President Clara Floyd, NEA President Dennis Van Roekel, MSTA Teacher of the Year Will Thomas, 1st Congressional District candidate Frank Kratovil, and MSTA Executive Director David Helfman.
Read the awesome Convention blogs
Big thanks to Nori, Missy, John, Karen, Andy, Roderick, Brian and Geraldine! Read the blogs
- President's Reception
- Friday Morning: Representative Assembly
- Friday Afternoon: Convention Activities
- Saturday Morning Representative Assembly
- Saturday Aftternoon: Representative Assembly
- Party at Seacrets
MSTA is the 70,000-member Maryland affiliate of the National
Education Association (NEA). NEA represents over 3.2 million public education
teachers, support professionals, retired educators, school administrators, higher
education faculty, and future educators.
© 2008 Maryland State Teachers Association