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CBS News
a day ago
- Business
- CBS News
Baltimore County teachers are closer to raises, but the union holds out for original agreement
A promised pay raise for Baltimore County teachers is inching closer to reality, but the teachers' union says the current proposal still falls short of what was originally agreed on. Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) had initially committed to a 5% raise for educators as part of a three-year compensation package. However, after the district received less funding than requested from County Executive Kathy Klausmeier's budget, the offer was reduced to 1.5%. Following pushback from the Teachers Association of Baltimore County (TABCO), including rallies and a shift to "work to rule" — where educators limit their work strictly to contracted hours — the district returned from negotiations with a revised offer of 2.5%. But it was still below the union's expectations. After further negotiations, BCPS announced an agreement with four of the five unions representing district employees. Under the new proposal, teachers would still receive the full 5% raise, but not until Jan. 1, 2026, rather than the originally planned July 1, 2025. The entire compensation timeline has now been shifted six months later than originally scheduled. "It's definitely been a tough budget season, but we have thankfully made some progress," said BCPS Superintendent Dr. Myriam Rogers. Revised Compensation Schedule: Original Year 2: July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026 New Year 2: January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026 Original Year 3: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027 New Year 3: January 1, 2027 – December 31, 2027 "We are able to provide the full year-two compensation package to all Team BCPS employees," Dr. Rogers said. "The only difference is the timing." TABCO fights for an initial pay raise agreement TABCO has not accepted the new deal and is weighing its next steps. The union is expected to vote on whether to declare an impasse — a formal process that could lead to third-party arbitration to resolve the issue. "Our members are definitely not in the position to do that," TABCO President Cindy Sexton said. "They are still very angry. They still want to keep showing up every day in these walk-ins, walk-outs, and work-to-rule actions." Sexton also plans to attend and speak at the upcoming school board meeting on Tuesday, June 3, continuing to press the district to honor the original compensation timeline. School district has financial limitations Dr. Rogers said she empathizes with the teachers' frustration but emphasized the district's financial limitations. "If we could, I would have been the first one saying, 'Here it is,' and celebrating with everyone," Dr. Rogers said. "But that's just not the fiscal climate we find ourselves in." Negotiations remain ongoing as educators, administrators, and union leaders work toward a final agreement ahead of the upcoming school year. Possible Baltimore County school cuts Dr. Rogers recently stated that the school district encountered an unexpected level of financial stability due to its limited resources. In an email, Rogers outlined plans for cost-saving measures, which included eliminating some supervisory positions in the central office, extending a hiring freeze for non-school building roles, cutting $14 million from supplies and materials, and reducing division and department budgets.
CBS News
3 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
Baltimore County middle school P.E. teacher accused of sex crimes of students
A Baltimore County middle school physical education teacher is accused of sexually assaulting students on school property. Police say 61-year-old Roger Myers was arrested on multiple sex offenses and assault charges, which allegedly happened at the school. Baltimore County Public Schools says Myers is a teacher at Deep Creek Middle School in Essex. He has been on administrative leave since January, when the school initially learned about the investigation, according to the school's principal. "These charges are deeply troubling," Deep Creek Middle School principal Laura Kelly said in a letter to families. "BCPS holds its employees to a high standard of character, and this alleged behavior is abhorrent and completely unacceptable." Myers has been employed with the Baltimore County Public Schools since 1996 and has been employed at Deep Creek Middle School since July 2024. School leaders said counseling will be available to students. "Ensuring a safe learning environment for our students is our top priority," Kelly said. Myers is being held without bond at the Baltimore County Detention Center. Police are asking if you believe you are a victim or have information related to the case to call 410-887-7720.
CBS News
09-05-2025
- CBS News
Maryland Fire Marshall warns Chromebook social media challenge can lead to fires
The Maryland Fire Marshall alerted parents and community members to a social media challenge that has been linked to several recent fires and instances of property damage. According to the Fire Marshall's Office, students in the state have been participating in the "Chromebook Challenge" by putting electrically conductive objects into the charging ports of school-issued devices. The action can lead to sparks, smoke, and in some cases, fires. Officials said the "reckless behavior" has already led to several fires. As of May 5, officials have documented multiple cases of the "Chromebook Challenge." The action of putting metallic items or pencils into the charging port of a device can cause the device to short-circuit, officials said. Some of the cases have prompted an emergency response and led to disciplinary action at schools in Maryland. "We want to emphasize the importance of educating students about the dangers associated with these acts," Acting State Fire Marshall Jason Mowbray said. "It is crucial that parents and educators work together to promote a culture of safety and responsibility regarding electronic devices." Some Maryland schools echo warning about "Chromebook Challenge" Staff at Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) said they are aware of the dangerous challenge making the rounds on social media. In a statement, they reminded parents and students that intentionally damaging BCPS-issued devices violates student handbook policies. If the action leads to a fire, the district could seek legal action, officials said. They asked parents to talk with students about the importance of navigating the influence of social media. "Parents should also be aware, the impact of these social media trends extend beyond the schoolhouse," BCPS officials said. Harford County Public Schools shared a similar statement, urging parents to speak to their children about the risks of the social media challenge. Social media trends can lead to rise in performance crimes The rise in similar dangerous social media trends has increased cases of a phenomenon called performance crimes. In 2023, viral social media videos taught people how to exploit vulnerabilities in some models of Kia and Hyundai cars. CBS News Sacramento reported that Hyundai tried to work with TikTok and other social media platforms to remove the videos, but as new videos were uploaded, it brought more theft cases as teens sought to go viral.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Yahoo
Family sues Baltimore County Schools over alleged assault by Overlea High teacher
A high school student's family is suing the Baltimore County Board of Education in excess of $75,000 over allegations that the teen was assaulted by a teacher. The family believes the school system failed to provide a safe environment and proper employee training, David A. Muncy, a Maryland-based attorney representing the family, wrote in court documents filed Thursday. On Nov. 21, 2023, the Overlea High School student, who was 15 at the time, allegedly suffered 'injuries to her body, as well as severe and protracted shock to her nervous system, all of which have caused her, and will continue to cause her, great pain and mental anguish,' according to the court filing. 'This was her favorite teacher, and she just never thought this was going to happen to her,' Muncy said in an interview. 'So she did some counseling and was checked out by her family doctor.' The teacher was briefly suspended and returned to the classroom, according to Muncy and the family. The family says the school district has offered no transparency or follow-up care. A spokesperson for Baltimore County schools declined to comment on pending litigation, except to say that 'BCPS followed its processes and thoroughly investigated the report.' The court documents did not disclose many details of the alleged assault, but Muncy provided some specifics. 'She came up behind her teacher, basically good morning, probably loud, but not anything out of the ordinary, and the teacher just turned around and basically started assaulting her, slapping her, hitting her,' Muncy said. 'We really don't know why. We still don't know why. And from there, she went and reported to the office. They took out a peace order, a protective order against the teacher, which was granted. The State's Attorney's office declined to file charges against her. We don't know why that is either.' The family also alleges the Board of Education failed to ensure its teachers had the 'proper temperament to safely interact with students' and did not properly monitor the mental health and competency of its teachers, according to the complaint. 'She didn't know what to do,' said the student's mother, whom The Baltimore Sun is not naming to protect her child's privacy. 'She wasn't expecting that something like that could happen to her, especially with someone that she trusts, with a figure that he's a teacher, and you trust them because [they are] educators. So she was in shock for a while.' The student was moved to a different school after the alleged event, according to her mother. 'She is thriving right now in the new school,' her mother said in the interview. 'She is doing what she likes, which is allied health. When she graduates, she wants to be an OB-GYN. … She is thriving with her peers at school and she is thriving with the teachers.' Have a news tip? Contact Todd Karpovich at tkarpovich@ or on X as @ToddKarpovich.
STV News
28-04-2025
- STV News
Suspect in Vancouver car ramming charged with eight counts of murder
A man has been charged with eight counts of second-degree murder over Saturday's Vancouver car ramming that killed 11 people at a Filipino heritage festival. Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30, a Vancouver resident, was arrested at the scene on Saturday and remains in custody, the British Columbia Prosecution Service (BCPS) said. Lo is charged with driving a black Audi SUV into a crowd of people attending Vancouver's Lapu Lapu Day festival. The collision killed 11 people, between the ages of five and 65, and left dozens injured. Police have yet to release the names of the victims. BCPS said more charges against Lo were possible. Attendees pay their respects during a vigil at Kensington Park. / Credit: AP Speaking to reporters, Police Interim Chief Steve Rai described the attack as the 'darkest day in Vancouver's history.' He went on to add: 'The person we have in custody does have a significant history of interactions with police and health care professionals related to mental health.' Police said they are 'confident' that the incident was 'not an act of terrorism nor any ongoing threats to the community'. Members of the Vancouver Police forensics team examine a victim's phone while investigating the scene of the attack. / Credit: AP Carayn Nulada said she pulled her granddaughter and grandson off the road, using her body to shield them from the SUV. She added that her daughter had a narrow escape. 'The car hit her arm and she fell down, but she got up, looking for us because she is scared,' Nulada said, describing children screaming and victims lying on the ground or trapped under vehicles, their faces pale. 'I saw people running and my daughter was shaking.' People continue to leave tributes for the victims of Saturday's attack. / Credit: AP Ms Nulada was at Vancouver General Hospital's emergency room on early Sunday morning, searching for news about her brother, who was hit in the attack and suffered multiple broken bones. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who is seeking re-election on Monday, said on X he was 'devastated' to hear about the attack. 'I am devastated to hear about the horrific events at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver earlier this evening,' he wrote. 'I offer my deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured, to the Filipino Canadian community, and to everyone in Vancouver. We are all mourning with you. 'We are monitoring the situation closely, and thankful to our first responders for their swift action.' I am devastated to hear about the horrific events at the Lapu Lapu festival in Vancouver earlier this evening. I offer my deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured, to the Filipino Canadian community, and to everyone in Vancouver. We are all mourning with… — Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) April 27, 2025 King Charles has said he and Queen Camilla are 'profoundly saddened' to hear of the attack in Vancouver, writing in a statement on X: 'Our hearts and prayers go out to all those whose lives have been shattered by such a desperate tragedy and we send our deepest possible sympathy at a most agonising time for so many in Canada.' The Lapu Lapu Day festival, which celebrates Filipino culture, was taking place in a south Vancouver neighbourhood. The organisers of the festival, a community group called Filipino BC, wrote in a statement on Instagram: 'We are still finding the words to express the deep heartbreak brought on by this senseless tragedy. We are devastated for the families and victims.' Vancouver had more than 38,600 residents of Filipino heritage in 2021, representing 5.9% of the city's total population, according to Statistics Canada, the agency that conducts the national census. Lapu Lapu Day celebrates Datu Lapu-Lapu, an Indigenous chieftain who stood up to Spanish explorers who came to the Philippines in the 16th century. The organisers of the Vancouver event, which was in its second year, said that he 'represents the soul of native resistance, a powerful force that helped shape the Filipino identity in the face of colonisation.' British Columbia Premier David Eby said the province won't let the tragedy define the celebration. He urged people to channel their rage into helping those affected. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
