Comments

• On the article Police Arrest Man on Drug Charges, Seize Car

  

  Maureen Thomas

  3:54 pm on Saturday, May 18, 2013

  Wake up, it's everywhere.....

  Reply

• On the article School System Could Seek Graduation Site in County

  

  

  Maureen Thomas

  8:15 am on Thursday, August 23, 2012

  @Vicki....Excellent idea! We have been saying that for awhile here at Broadneck High School!!!

• On the article Legislature Approves Tax Hike, Pension Shift

  

  Maureen Thomas

  2:08 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012

  @Karl....is this posting in a different county? In AA county we had more $$ taken out for healthcare and pension, not sure what the 2k you are talking about is.....also, teachers work 30 years for a full pension, not 20. As a career changer, I will probably not see this, my choice I know. As far as "volunteer", yes chaperoning and stuff is, BUT increased workload (more kids in my classes, more IEP and 504 meetings with with special educators, more demands on my planning time) REQUIRES me to grade and plan on the weekends, if I want to be competant. Not to mention the constant training necessary to teach to testing curricular changes such as the impending Common Core Curriculum. I would welcome merit pay; perhaps teachers would begin to be recognized for the competant professionals they are. We constantly update our skills in technology, psychology, sociology, management, as well as our content areas. We're not just home "grading", we're surfing the web for fresh ideas, designing interactive lessons, going to the store to purchase materials we need. Not looking for praise; just the acknowledgement that we are graduate-level educated professionals with skills working far below the wage scale of similarly trained professionals. So, if I am so unhappy, go get a job in the private sector, right? I had one, and I left because I wanted to teach. But many of us are considering a return to private industry simply for financial reasons. And if we all go...then what?

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• On the article Legislature Approves Tax Hike, Pension Shift

  

  

  Maureen Thomas

  10:01 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012

  Please don't promote divisiveness between teachers and the community. It makes things worse. As a teacher for 10 years, who has been frozen on Step 7 of the pay scale for 5 years, and who has received, and then had taken away 1.5% COLA, where are those "consistent raises "? County employees also have had it rough...but this is not a competiton. As far as my "hourly wage..." factor in the unpaid time I spend running 2 clubs, chaperoning and supporting my students at activities such as performance events and exhibits, sporting events, judging homecoming parades, prom and homecoming, graduation on Saturdays (before the switch to Friday), judging student film festivals etc, oh and then there is that little thing called planning and that other one called grading. Yes, we get a lot of vacation time, however, the reality is that myself and many many others have always worked a second/third job during those "vacations" so we can afford to live here. You really want to know my hourly "wage"? I don't think I want to know it, because it might be the final straw that pushes me over the edge. I am still paying off my graduate school loan from 10 years ago, and continually upgrade my training and skills.

  By shifting half the pension costs to the counties, the State is negating any "benefit" that additional taxes will provide. The cost of that will eventually be filtered down to the teachers. I love what I do and I am good at it. But there is a breaking point.

• On the article PHOTOS: Playground Dedicated to BHS Student

  

  Maureen Thomas

  8:08 am on Wednesday, January 25, 2012

  JT was a former student, and one of the most wonderful kids I have had the opportunity to teach. I know he would be very happy to see kids having fun on a playground dedicated to him. We still miss him and he will always be in our hearts.

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• On the article A Change Ahead for Broadneck Patch

  

  Maureen Thomas

  9:43 pm on Wednesday, August 31, 2011

  Laura, I have enjoyed working with you! Keep in touch!

  Reply

• On the article Ferry Point Marina Restaurant Dispute Continues

  

  Maureen Thomas

  6:16 am on Wednesday, July 6, 2011

  Some people are just not happy unless they are being killjoys! I live in the community, have been a regular for years. Never saw loud, rowdy, crowd, just a fun place for the neighborhood and boaters to gather. Almost everyone I talk to is excited about the prospect of the re-opening. Except one person who lives across the creek, found the "sound of crab mallets" too disturbing for words! This is what we are dealing with. Hopefully by next summer our tikibar/crabhouse will be back.

  Reply

• On the article School Board Passes Budget By 'Spreading the Pain'

  

  Maureen Thomas

  12:45 pm on Friday, June 17, 2011

  Good Riddance, Vic Bernson. Seriously, our "Cadillac Benefits?" Yes, as teachers we do have good health care, but that is one of the compensations for our low salaries! Does this man not realize that we have been "sharing the pain" for the past three years, just like everyone else? This fall I will be teaching at a salary level that has been frozen for 3 years. My contributions to my "luxury" benefits (I use an HMO because I can't afford the PPO option), as well as my pension plan are going up also. In general I will be making 5-7% less than I made this year. Teaching positions have been cut throughout the school system; several people have been "excessed" from Broadneck High School, which will result in larger class sizes with less support personnel. I love being a teacher, but just to set the record straight as far as the "summers off" thing, most of the teachers I know, myself included, will be working this summer to try to get a little bit ahead of the game in the fall. I don't know why this man has such malice towards teachers; every thing he has said about us has been inflammatory and vitriolic. To those of you in the community that support us and realize what we do, "thank you." We love your kids and enjoy teaching them. But we have to eat like everyone else.

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• On the article Whiz Kid: Va'a Niumatalolo

  

  Maureen Thomas

  9:25 am on Friday, March 11, 2011

  Va'a is an awesome kid in every way!! We all love him here at BHS.....and he does a great job in the musical...who knew????

  Reply

• On the article Council to Tackle Binding Arbitration Tonight

  

  Maureen Thomas

  8:51 pm on Monday, March 7, 2011

  80% of the public supported binding arbitration. It normally goes the way of the council, but Leopold still feels this is unfair? Police, firefighters, first responders, take note of the councilpersons who introduced and supported this bill:" Dick Ladd (R-District 5) of Severna Park, Councilman John Grasso (R-District 2) of Glen Burnie, Councilman Derek Fink (R-District 3) of Pasadena and Walker —all of whom are Republicans." I have a horrible feeling this is going to pass....at the very least take note of these names and do not support them when they are up for re-election. As a public school teacher I stand in support of my fellow public servants and I am not unaware of the fact that when economic times are tight people seem to forget that we serve the public for the same amount of money as we did when times were 'good'. This county is making it impossible for many of us to continue to live and work here.

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