Readers respond to last week’s Feedback Friday topic, which was:
Teachers, Drivers & Workers Oh My!
The start of the 2022–23 Anne Arundel County Public School year has officially begun and yet, there is a reported shortage of 300 teachers, 222 food service workers, 81 custodians, 67 bus drivers, and 57 crossing guards. This puts a strain on all levels of the education system in this county, including the home-front. In fact, public school systems across the state and, indeed, the country, are experiencing drastic worker shortages as this school year fast approaches. So, what’s the deal? Who’s to blame?
In Anne Arundel County, for example, a new superintendent has taken charge of the system and is a mere month-plus into the job. Certainly, he’s not to blame. Right? Was his predecessor?
The county’s Board of Education, meanwhile, has helmed the decision-making for the past two years (they are elected during each Presidential election). Could they be held accountable? Similarly, the County Executive, Steuart Pittman, has signed off on the county’s education budget for the past four years. He’s seeking your approval for a second term this coming November election.
Some teachers and staff have long bemoaned salary shortcomings, work conditions, and difficult hours. But their union has a Negotiated Agreement with the Board of Education. We also recall that bus drivers negotiated a salary increase last year during the shortage crisis of drivers. Yet, a shortage remains.
COVID-19 certainly took its toll on society, not the least of which was our education system. Is work burnout to blame? Did the pandemic, coupled with government financial aid, allow a vast number of workers to find new passions or careers?
Why the overall shortage of teachers, drivers, and workers?
What do you think about this situation, who’s to blame, and how it can it be solved?
Here’s what you said:
Teachers and bus drivers should be getting more money. The problem is that most of the budget goes to administrators and for other wasteful spending. They keep increasing the budget but again most of the increase does not go to where it is needed. The current cost is about $80,000 per year per student. Just give hat money to the student and he can figure out how to spend it!!
Julia Jones, Edgewater
Federal government paying people for not working.
Edward Stratton, Severn
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