The Board of Education of Frederick County (Board) has reached a tentative agreement with all three associations: the Frederick County Association of School Support Employees (FASSE), the Frederick County Teachers Association (FCTA) and the Frederick County Administrative and Supervisory Association (FCASA). This marks only the second time in several negotiating cycles in which all three bargaining units have concluded nearly simultaneously.
Each association will proceed with a ratification vote in the coming days, and the new negotiated agreements are tentatively scheduled to be signed at the June 28 Board meeting. All three agreements will be in effect July 1, 2023.
Across all three associations, the following applies:
- Salary resource pool equivalent to 6% on average increase.
- 9.5% increase to medical, prescription, or vision insurance premium.
- No increase to dental premiums
- No increase to copays and no change in benefit coverage.
In reaching these agreements, Board President Sue Johnson said, “The Board is grateful that we were able to reach agreements with our three associations. We value the work that all of our staff do every day and the spirit of collaboration that characterizes our partnership. We are grateful to our association partners, our lead negotiators, the Chief of Staff, the support of County Executive Jessica Fitzwater, County Council President Brad Young and all members of our local government who ensured we could address our shared interests to reach these agreements. On behalf of the Board of Education, we are pleased in how we were able to work together on behalf of our entire organization and community.”
Frederick Association of School Support Employees (FASSE)
FASSE President Sharon Eburg said, “We are pleased to conclude negotiations and to present a tentative agreement to the FASSE members for ratification. There were a number of issues that were collaboratively presented, discussed, and resolved. The agreement reflects the hard work of both bargaining teams and the funding apportioned to us by the County Executive, County Council, and the Board of Education.”
Highlights of the agreement include:
- Current FASSE employees may apply for promotional opportunities after six months of employment. A probationary period of six months will be for all promotions.
- For FY25, on inclement school closure weather days, bus drivers and bus assistants would be paid a stipend: $100 for bus drivers, $75 for bus assistants.
- Increase in Association leave days from 30 days to 50 days.
- A structure for FY25 to pay an additional supplement for every five years of consecutive service as a benefited FCPS FASSE employee (pending funding).
This three-year contract will remain in effect until June 30, 2026, with yearly openers on salary and insurance benefits.
Frederick County Teachers Association (FCTA)
FCTA President Missy Dirks said, “We are happy to have reached a tentative agreement to send to our full membership for their consideration and ratification vote. Given that we had limited openers in this year's negotiations, we believe this is a fair settlement with the funding the Board of Education received from the State and the County. We are also grateful for the supplemental appropriation from the County Executive and County Council during their budget process which helped mitigate the increases in the cost of healthcare due to rising medical inflation. Having an agreement on the floor for the start of salary negotiations for year two of the contract will also help us make progress toward the requirements of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.”
Highlights of the agreement include:
- FCTA members at the top of their lane who are not eligible for a step increase will receive a one-time stipend of $500.
- 10-month special educators will receive three additional work days in FY24 and now be pension eligible. These days will increase to six additional pension-eligible work days in FY25 and nine additional work days in FY26.
- Increase from 80 minutes per month to 90 minutes per month of supplemental elementary and middle school planning time and remove the language of “pilot.”
- Implementation of a step service credit to all new teacher hires for each year of prior service in FCPS as an instructional assistant, special education instructional assistant, or resident substitute who were subsequently hired as a teacher. For each year of work in one of those roles, employees would get a half (.5) year of credit on the teacher scale for no more than six years or three steps credit total. Current employees with applicable experience will have a one-time opportunity to have this experience applied to the scale August 1 through September 30.
- Revised language around tuition reimbursement to clarify extenuating circumstances and waivers.
- Revised language for unpaid extended leave extension request.
- Streamlined flexible professional time reporting process for unit members with three or more years of experience. The only reporting requirements moving forward will be part of the regular end-of-year checkout process instead of the separate online reporting that has been required in the fall and spring.
This two-year contract will remain in effect until June 30, 2026, with yearly openers on salary, insurance benefits and items related to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, including the Career Ladder. A full contract review will occur for FY27.
Frederick County Administration and Supervisory Association (FCASA)
FCASA President Dr. Danny Rumpf said, “The Frederick County Administrative and Supervisory Association is appreciative of the hard work and commitment shown by both teams during negotiations. Through creative work and taking one step at a time, the needs of all were met during a challenging budget year. Thank you to the Board of Education for continuing the work towards the interest of all involved with FCPS.”
Highlights of the agreement include:
- A structure for FY25 to pay an additional supplement to employees who completed four years or more of consecutive service in FCASA (pending funding).
- Revised language around tuition reimbursement to clarify extenuating circumstances and waivers.
- Revised language for annual leave cash in days and bereavement.
This two-year contract would remain in effect until June 30, 2025, with yearly openers on salary, insurance, benefits and items related to the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, including the Career Ladder. A full contract review will occur for FY27.