Heather Mizeur 2013 MSEA Survey Responses

7/27/2019 Heather Mizeur 2013 MSEA Survey Responses

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2014GUBERNATORIALCANDIDATEQUESTIONNAIRE

CANDIDATE: ____DelegateHeatherMizeur,MarylandGeneralAssembly___

CAMPAIGNADDRESS: ___POBox11290,TakomaPark,MD20913____

POINTOFCONTACT: __JeremyCrandall,PoliticalDirector,(202)3161202

PHONENUMBER(S): ___(202)3161202_____________________________________

EMAIL: [email protected]____________________________________________

WEBSITE: __www.HeatherMizeur.com___

Iconfirmthattheresponsesprovidedherearemyofficialpositionsinseekingthe

officeofGovernorofMarylandandIunderstandthatMSEAreservestherightto

sharemyresponseswithmembersandinterestedparties.

CANDIDATESIGNATURE: __________________________________________________________

DATESUBMITTED: ____8/23/13_____________________

Candidates:InordertobeconsideredforarecommendationduringtheMSEARepresentativeAssembly

October1819,2013inOceanCity,youmust:

1. Indicateyourresponsetoeachquestion.Clarifications,explanations,andotherinformationmaybeattached,butpleasebecertaintoindicateclearlythequestions(s)towhichyourefer.Return

yourcompletedandsignedquestionnairetoMSEAnolaterthanAugust23,2013.

2. ParticipateinaoneononeinterviewwithMSEAPresidentBettyWeller.TheinterviewmustbetapednolaterthanSeptember13,2013. Yourinterviewandcompletedquestionnairewillbe

sharedwithalldelegatestotheMSEARepresentativeAssembly.

Ifyouaretherecommendedcandidate,weaskthatyouagreetoparticipateinourEducateforaDay

Project,adayinthelifeofanMSEAmember,duringAmericanEducationWeekinNovember2013.

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EDUCATIONFUNDING

ThorntonFundingStateAidforEducation

1. DoyousupportoropposelegislationtocreateaThorntonlikeCommission?

__X__ Support

_____ Oppose

Ifyousupport,willyouincludethislegislationasanadministrationbillin2015?

Yes,IwillincludelegislationcreatingaThorntonlikeCommissioninthe2015RegularSessionas

anadministrationbill.

BackgroundPoints

In2002,lawmakerspassedtheBridgetoExcellenceinPublicSchoolsAct(alsoknownastheThorntonPlan)basedontherecommendationsoftheThorntonCommission.Whilethisincreasedinvestmenthashelped

Marylandspublicschoolsandstudentsachieveoutstandingresultsanddevelopareputationasanationalleader,manyunmetneedsremain.MSEAsupportsincreasingtheperpupilexpenditure,offsettingthe

impactofcontinuinginflationandgrowth,fullfundingofprogramsmandatedbytheGeneralAssembly

and/ortheStateBoardofEducation,additionalstatefundingtoreduceclasssize,fundingtoprovidestateof

thearttechnologiesthatpromotestudentachievement,increasedfundingfortheeducationofstudents

receivingspecialeducationservices,andlegislationtosupporthighqualityprogramsforallstudentsatrisk.

Duringchallengingeconomictimes,theGeneralAssemblymadechangestotheThorntonFundingformulabyslowingthegrowthoffundingaccordingtoinflation.Thisresultedin$718millionlessinstatefundingthan

originallyprojectedfor2014.

Thecostofeducatingstudentscontinuestoincrease.Overthelast10years,MarylandhasseenanincreaseinourTitle1studentpopulationof129percentandlimitedEnglishproficiencystudentsof88percent.With

yeartoyearincreasesinspecialeducationneeds,itisclearthatthechangingstudentpopulationisa

significantdriverofcosts.

Butthereturnoninvestmentisincredible.In2001,49percentofstudentswerereadyforschoolwhenenteringkindergarten.In2011,thatnumberwas83percent.Inadditiontobeingthenumberonepublic

schoolsysteminthecountryforfivestraightyears,Marylandisalso#1instudentachievementgrowth

(19922011);4thgradereadingandmathimprovement(proficientlevel);andAPperformance(20082012).

AndMarylandsgraduationrateisat87percentthehighestever.

Thereiscontinuedroomforimprovementinclosingeducationgaps,expandingprogramsandservices,andimprovingstudentachievement.

ThenextgovernorwillhaveasignificantimpactinthefuturefundingandsuccessofMarylandschools.TheThorntonPlanrequiredtheStatetostudytheadequacyofeducationfundingbyJune30,2012.The2011

sessionoftheMDGeneralAssembly,however,actedtodelaythisstudyuntil2016.

MSEAsupportslegislationtobeintroducedin2015tocreateaThorntonlikeCommissiontostudyeducationfunding,recruitmentandretentionofeducators,appropriatefacilities,andstudentachievementin

MarylandtodeterminethemanyfactorsandmandatesimpactingeducationsincethepassageofThorntonin

2002.ThisCommissionshouldreportonaparalleltimelineofthe2016adequacystudy.


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2. Pleaseprovideyourgeneralandspecificthoughtsonhoweducationfundingchallengescanbeaddressedduringyourfirsttermasgovernor?Howwouldyouprioritizestateaidforeducation

inyourbudgetproposals?

MarylandsConstitutionmandatesthatstategovernmentfullyprovideapubliceducationforevery

childinthisstate.Istronglybelieveinthatmandate,andeachbudgetwrittenundermy

administrationwilladheretoit,ensuringfullyfundedK12publiceducationneedsintheclassroom

aswellasfullysupportingcurrentandretirededucators.

AsViceChairoftheEducationandEconomicDevelopmentSubcommitteeonAppropriations,Ihave

consistentlyfoughttoprotectthatmandate,byfullyfundingThorntonandtheGeographicCostof

EducationIndex(GCEI)andbystandingwitheducatorsinoppositiontothepensionshift.As

Governor,educationfundingwillbeoneofmyfirstbudgetpriorities.

Specifically,Iwillworktoensureoureducationfundingformulasreflectourcurrentneeds.Much

haschangedsincetheThorntonPlanpassedin2002:ourTitle1,Englishproficiencyandspecial

needspopulationshavegrownsignificantly,andtechnologicalimprovementsofferinnovativeways

foreducatorstoconnectwithstudents.ItistimetodiscussaThornton2.0toensureour

educationformulasreflecttodaysgreatestneedstoguaranteeeducationalexcellenceforevery

childinMaryland.

3. Thereisconsiderableroomforimprovementinaddressingeducatorsalaries(flatforthelastfouryears)andreducingclasssizes(layoffs/retirementshaveadirectimpactonaslowand

steadyincreaseinthenumberofstudentsperclassroom).Howwillyouusetheofficeofthe

Governorandyourbudgetprioritiestoaddressbothsalaryandclasssizeissues?

Everydatapointshowsthateducationaloutcomesaredirectlyrelatedtosmallerclasssizes,and

whenweraisesalaries,wepositionourselvestocompeteforthebesteducators.MyThornton2.0policyapproachwillincludediscussionsabouthowweincreaseeducatorsalaries.Iwillalsowork

toeasetheburdenofcollegetuitionandloansonMarylanderswhoremaininstateandteachinour

classroomsbymakingourstateLARPgrantsnontaxableincome.

Reducingclasssizeisacornerstonetoimprovingtheclassroomexperienceforbothstudentand

teacher.Planstodosomustbelinkedhandinhandwithrecruitingneweducators.Wecanlearn

fromthemistakesmadeinotherstateslikeCalifornia,whereeffortstoreduceclasssizeswerenot

pairedwithnewtoolsorrecruitmentefforts,leavingnewclassroomswithoutqualifiededucators.

Finally,weneedanactiveapproachtoteacherrecruitment.Weshouldmodelotherstates,

includingCaliforniaandGeorgia,whohavegivencollegescholarshipstohighperforming

graduatinghighschoolseniorswhoenrollinfouryeareducationprogramsinMaryland.Wealso

needtoworkwithourstatecollegesanduniversitiestomakesurethateverycollegefreshmanina

noneducationacademicmajorisgiveninformationonteachingasapossibleprofession.Together

withincreasedsalaries,theguaranteeofretirementsecurity,and21stcenturyschools,theseactive

recruitmentstrategieswillhelpusrecruitmorequalifiedteachersandgiveustheabilitytoreduce

classsizesresponsibly.


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GeographicCostofEducationIndex

BackgroundPoints

MSEAsupportsequaleducationopportunitiesforallMarylanders,regardlessofthegeographiclocationoftheirresidence,andchangingtheprovisionsoftheGeographic

CostofEducationIndexfromdiscretionarytomandatory.

4. DoyousupportoropposemandatingtheGeographicCostofEducationIndex(GCEI)asapartofthestateaidforeducationformula?

__X__ Support

_____ Oppose

AdditionalComments:

TheGeographicCostofEducationIndexshouldabsolutelybeanintegralpartofthestateeducationalfundingformula.Thisisamatteroffairness.Thecostofeducationvariesfromonejurisdictiontoanother,andourformulasshouldreflecttheincreasedcostsinthoseareas.IstronglysupportedGCEIthroughoutmytenureintheGeneralAssembly,andfoughtforitsfullfundingasViceChairoftheEducationandEconomicDevelopmentSubcommittee.

5. DoyousupportoropposethestateadoptinganupdatedGCEIindex(currentunfundedindexis

from2009)thatwouldincreaseaidthroughthisformulafrom$130millionto$239millionin

FY15?

__X__ Support

_____ Oppose

AdditionalComments:

Effectiveleadershipmeanslookingfarintothefuturetoprepareourstateforthechallengesahead.

Fortoolong,Marylandstategovernmenthastakenashortsightedapproachtosolvingourgreatestchallenges.AsyourGovernor,Iwillbringacommitmenttolongtermplanningforpublicpolicyin

ordertoavoidwaittothelastminutebattlesoverourgreatestpriorities.Whenwepreparefor

thefuture,wepositionourselvestoadoptthebestsolutionstoourchallenges.

BackgroundPoints

Thisgrantprogramprovidesadditionalstatefundstolocalschoolsystemswherecostsforeducationalresourcesarehigherthanthestateaverage.GCEIwasanoriginalcomponentofthe2002ThorntonPlan;

however,itwassubsequentlydeterminedtobediscretionaryandfundingwasdelayed.Fullfundingforthegeographiccostofeducationindex(GCEI)formulawasprovidedinfiscalyear2009forthefirsttime.

Statefundingforfiscalyear2014tothethirteeneligiblecountiesis$130.8million.

In2009theGCEIindexwasupdatedasrequiredbystatute;however,todatetheGeneralAssemblyhasnotadoptedthenewindexintostatute.The2009GCEIindexwoulddeterminefourteencountieseligibleand

wouldincreasestatefundingbyanadditional$109millionperyear.


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MaintenanceofEffort

6. DoyousupportoropposeMarylandsmaintenanceofeffortlawthatrequireslocaljurisdictionstofundatleastthesameperpupilallocationinlocalaidforeducationastheprioryearunlessa

waiverisgranted?

__X__ Support

_____ Oppose

AdditionalComments:

BackgroundPoints

MSEAsupportsadequatepublicfundingforpublicschools,significantimprovementinthestatefundingofpubliceducationthroughthestatefoundationformulaincludingrequiringthemaintenanceofeffortbythe

localsubdivisions,legislationtorequirelocalsubdivisionstoincreaseand/ormaintainlocaleducationspendingwhengivenstatefunds,andrequiringlocalsubdivisionstoaccountforthismoneyinareporttothe

state.

PriortopassageoftheThorntonPlanin2002,educationfundingwas7.4%Federal,39.8%state,and51.8%local.For2013educationfundingwas4.9%federal,48.7%state,and46.5%local.Educationfundingisa

sharedresponsibility.Increasesinstateaidshouldnotbesupplantedbydecreasesinlocalaid.

Significantstatutorychangeswerepassedin2012tothestatesmaintenanceofeffort(MOE)law,whichrequireseverysubdivisiontomaintainfundingfortheirlocalschoolboardsfromonefiscalyeartothenext.

Countieswillbeheldaccountableformeetingminimumschoolfundinglevels,whilealsoenablingsome

countiestorealizeadditionalflexibilitybyapplyingtotheStateBoardofEducationforabroaderoneyear

MOEwaiverortwonewtypesofMOEwaiversnowavailableunderthenewlaw.


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SchoolConstruction

7. Doyousupportoropposeincreasingtheschoolconstructionfloorinthecapitalbudgetfrom$250millionto$500million?

__X__ Support

_____ Oppose

AdditionalComments:

InadditiontoraisingtheflooronourPublicSchoolConstructionProgram,Marylandshould

considernewandinnovativeapproachestoschoolconstructionfunding.Ourbackloginschool

constructionneedsstatewidehasreachedastaggering$15billion.Wecannotaffordthatpricetagthroughourcurrentapproachalone.

Forthelastthreeyears,Ihaveadvancedseveralpolicyoptionsthatenablethestatetotacklethis

problem.Throughinnovativepublicprivatepartnerships,wecouldleverageprivateresourcesfor

schoolconstruction.Ifweencouragetheprivatesectorandlaborunionstoinvestinourschool

rebuildingneeds,wecanexpandaccesstocapitalandcreatejobsforMarylandworkers.Early

involvementfromlaborunionsandrequiringProjectLaborAgreements(PLA)willhelpensure

BackgroundPoints

MSEAsupportsfundingforschoolconstructionandrenovationnecessarytoensureahighqualityteachingandlearningenvironment,includingconstructiontoreduceclasssize,appropriateheating,ventilation,and

airconditioningsystems.MSEAsupportslegislationestablishingandfundingairqualityandclimatizationassuranceprogramswithintheschoolconstructionandrenovationprograms,andlegislationrequiringthe

constructionandmaintenanceofsecurefacilitiestoprotectthehealthandsafetyofeducationemployeesin

theperformanceoftheirduties.

UndertheOMalleyadministrationover$2.876billionofstatefundinghasbeenprovidedforschoolconstructionincluding$360millionforfiscalyear2014.

In2004,thePublicSchoolFacilitiesActwaspassedwhichincludedtherecommendationoftheKoppCommissionestablishingtheintentofthestatetocontribute$2billionforschoolconstructionoverthenext

eightyears,averaginganexpenditureof$250millionperyear.EveryyeartheOMalley/Brown

administrationexceededthe$250millionrecommendationandtheKoppPlanwasmetaheadofschedule.

In2005thestatewideaverageageofschoolbuildingwas24yearsoldwithelevenschoolsystemsaveragingolderthanthestateaverage;in2012thestatewideaverageageofbuildingwas27yearsoldwithseven

schoolsystemsaveragingolderthanthestateaverage.In2002therewere2,619portableclassrooms;in

2010thereare3,124portableclassrooms,resultingin9.5%ofallstudentsstatewidebeingtaughtatleast

partoftheirschooldayinaportableclassroom.Annually,eachlocaleducationagency(LEA)submitsa

capitalimprovementprogramdetailingitspublicschoolconstructionprojectneedsforthebudgetyearand

thenextfiveyearstotheBoardofPublicWorks(BPW)InteragencyCommitteeonSchoolConstruction

(IAC).Theexistingcapitalimprovementplanssubmittedbyeachlocalschoolsystem,indicatesaneedofstate

fundingforschoolconstructionofover$3billionforthenextfiveyears.


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local,unionworkersarerebuildingourclassrooms.Severalstateshavealsoseensuccesswitha

localsalestaxoptionapprovedbyvotersinindividualcountiestofundschoolimprovementand

construction.Whetherthroughtheseapproachesorotheroptions,wehavethecapacitytorapidly

andsignificantlytransformourschools.Intheprocess,weimproveeducationaloutcomes,create

newneighborhoodanchorsinourimprovedlearningcentersandschools,andliftupour

communities.

Itisimportanttonotethatnoneofthesepolicyoptionswillleadtoareductionintotalannual

fundingforpublicschoolconstruction.Anynewapproachwillbedesignedtoincreaseourabilityto

expandcapitalprojects,andwillincludestronglanguagepreservingourcurrentfundinglevels.

Formoreinformationaboutmyvisionforschoolconstruction,seemy2011BaltimoreSunoped:

http://bit.ly/wCxwR2


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FundingforNonpublicSchools

8. Doyousupportoropposedrainingfundsfrompublicschoolsbyprovidingvouchersforprivateorreligiousschools,includingthroughtheneovouchertaxcreditprogramknownasBOAST?

_____ Support

__X__ Oppose

AdditionalComments:

9. Howwillyouaddressstateaidforprivateandreligiousschoolsthroughthenonpublicschooltextbook,technology,andschoolconstructionsprograms?

_____ Increasefundingfornonpublicschools

_____ Maintainfundingatcurrentlevelsfornonpublicschools

_____ Decreasefundingfornonpublicschools

__X__ Eliminatefundingfornonpublicschools

BackgroundPoints

MSEAbelievesanyeducationdollarsspentoutsideofimprovingpublicschoolsmakesithardertomaketheprogressnecessarytoprovideaworldclasseducationforeverystudent.

TheFY14statebudgetincludednewandrecordlevelsoffundingfornonpublicschools.Thenonpublicschool

textbook/technologyprogramreceived$6millionandabrandnewschoolconstructionfundfornonpublic

schoolswascreatedwith$3.5millioninpublicfundsinthecapitalbudget.

VoucherandneovoucherschemeslikeBOASTandotherfundingforprogramsinthebudgetfornonpublicschoolssuchastextbooks,technology,andschoolconstructionreducethestatesGeneralFundrevenue

whilesubsidizingthecostofprivateeducationforafewstudents.

TheBOASTbillhasbeenbeforetheGeneralAssemblyinvariousformssince2006.Thelegislationwouldcreateanewtaxcreditprogramandallowcorporationstoallocateaportionoftheirowedstatetaxesto

organizationsthatcollectandbundletaxdollarsandthendivertthemintoprivateschooltaxcreditvouchers.

o MSEAopposesthistaxcreditbecauseitisabackdoorapproachtoprovidingvoucherstoparentsofchildreninprivateschoolsbysubsidizingtuitionatprivateschoolswithpublictaxdollars.

o BOASTtaxcreditvouchersprovidenorestrictionsregardingtheuseofpublictaxdollars.o Sinceprivateschoolsareindependent,andthetaxcreditvoucherprogramcreatesinefficient,

complexscholarshiporganizations,therewouldbemanybarrierstoinstitutingeventhebasic

accountabilitymeasuresrequiredofotherstateprograms.

TheMarylandStateDepartmentofEducationrequiresacertificateofapprovalorregistrationforprivateschools;itdoesnotaccreditorlicensethem.Privateschoolsdonothavetoreportoradministerteacher

qualifications,classsizes,adherencetoCommonCoreStateStandards,implementationofnew

teacher/principalevaluationsystems,studentretentionrates,graduationrates,demographics,ordiscipline

orsuspensionpolicies.Withoutthesemeasures,itisimpossibletoascertainthestandardstoevaluateany

voucherorneovoucherscheme.


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AdditionalComments:

Publicmoneyisforpublicschools.Despiteoursuccesses,wefaceimmensechallengestoprotect

thejobsofeducators,reduceclasssizes,andcloseachievementgaps.Steeringpublicfundsto

privateschoolswillonlyharmourabilitytohelpussolvethesechallenges.

Privateschoolsdonotlinktuitionsubsidiestoneed,income,orqualityofeducationandtheyarenotaccountabletothestateonstudentachievement,attendance,graduation,ordropoutrates.

Sendingpublicmoneytosupportprivateschoolsisneitherfiscallyresponsiblenorsoundpublic

policy.

RETIREMENTSECURITY

\

BackgroundPoints

MSEAbelievesthatguaranteeingadequateincomeuponretirement,whichisbestaccomplishedthroughdefinedbenefitplans,servestheinterestsofpubliceducationandalleducationemployeesbyenhancing

recruitmentefforts,improvingretentionrates,andcreatingahighqualitypubliceducationsystem.MSEAalsobelievesthatthestateandlocalemployersareobligatedtofundthepensionsystemsufficientlyto

provideaguaranteedadequateincomeatretirement.

TheTeachersRetirementandPensionSystemcurrentlyservesapproximately106,000activemembers.TheTeacherSystemcurrentlypaysbenefitstoabout63,000retirees.RetireesoftheTeacherSystemreceivean

averagemonthlybenefitofapproximately$2,100.

ExpendituresmadebyretireesofstateandlocalgovernmentprovideasteadyeconomicstimulustothestateeconomyandMarylandcommunities.In2009,152,357Marylandresidentsreceivedatotalof$3.2billionin

pensionbenefitsfromstateandlocalpensionplans.Retireesexpendituresfromthesebenefitssupporteda

totalof$4.4billionintotaleconomicoutputinthestate.Retireespendingfromstateandlocalpension

benefitssupported32,000jobsinthestateandtotalincometostateresidentssupportedbypensionbenefit

expenditureswas$1.5billion.

In2011,thelegislaturereformedpensionbenefitsforteachersandeducationemployees,includinganincreaseinthecontributionrateofallemployeesfrom5%to7%andareductionoftheCOLAcalculationon

allfutureyearsofservice.Additionally,itmadeseveralchangesfornewemployeesthatcreatedabifurcated

benefitstructure.Newemployeeshaveareducedbenefitwithalowermultiplier,longervestingperiod,and

changesinretirementageandbenefitcalculation.Consequently,thepensionbenefitfornewemployeesis

amongtheworstinthenation.

In2013,MSEAsupportedtheGeneralAssemblyactionthatphasedoutthecorridorfundingmethod,establishedin2002tomitigatefluctuationsintheannualcontribution.Thelongtermphaseoutrequiresthestatetoincrementallyreachtheactuariallydeterminedannualcontributionovertenyears,andincludesa

changeintheamortizationofallpensionliabilities.

Asaresultofthereformactionstakenbythelegislatureoverthepastthreeyears,thestateretirementandpensionsystemsareonapathtoreachan80%fundedstatusinapproximately10years,puttingthesystem

backonsolidfinancialground.


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10.Doyousupportoropposeeffortstorestoreaunifiedbenefitstructureforallschoolemployeesinthepensionsystemratherthanthebifurcatedbenefitcreatedbythe2011reformsfornew

employees.?

__X__ Support

_____ Oppose

AdditionalComments:

Noeducatorwillevergetrichbecausetheychoosetoeducateourchildren,buttheydeserveto

knowtheirlivelihoodwillbeprotected.Promisesmademustbepromiseskept.ThatiswhyI

supportedthe2011pensionreformstheywerethebestoptionputonthetablebyGovernor

OMalleyandthelegislativeleadershiptoensurethelongtermsolvencyofthepensionsystem.Iam

openandwillingtoexplorereturningtoaunifiedstructureandendingbifurcationaslongaswe

preservelongtermstabilityanddonotthreatenthepromisedretirementsecurityofourcurrent

andfutureeducators.

11.Doyousupportoropposeanyactiontodiminishorthreatenpensionbenefitssuchasfurtherreductionsintheretirementmultiplier,furtherincreasesinemployeecontributions,or

convertingtoadefinedcontributionorhybridtypepensionplanforeducationemployees?

_____ Support

__X__ Oppose

Ifyousupportfurtherbenefitchanges,whattypesofreformsdoyoupropose?

Iopposeanyactiontodiminishorthreatenpensionbenefitsforoureducators,andIpointtomy

voteontheteacherpensionshiftin2012asproofofmyrecord.

Ourconstitutionalmandatetosupportpubliceducationstartswithsupportingoureducators.

Shiftingteacherpensioncoststothecountygovernmentswasaviolationofthatmandateinmy

opinion,andthatiswhyIvotedagainstitintheAppropriationsCommitteeandontheHousefloor.

Shiftingthesecoststocountieswithlessabilitytofundthemwillinevitablyleadtooneofseveral

outcomes:positioncuts,increasedclasssizes,orcutstoothercorecountyservices.Anyofthese

wouldhavedirectimpactsonourcommunities.

Itisnotenoughaslegislatorstosaythatwesupportoureducators.Thetruetestishowonevotes

onpolicythatdirectlyimpactsthelivelihoodoffellowMarylanders.Iwasproudtostandwithyou

thenandwillcontinuetodosoasyourGovernor.


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MARYLANDWORKINGFAMILIES

CollectiveBargaining

12.Doyousupportoropposepubliceducationemployeesrightstobargaincollectively?

__X__ Support

_____ Oppose

AdditionalComments:

Igrewupinasmallruraltown,wheremyfatherspenthiscareerasaUAWwelder.WhenIwas9

yearsold,myfatherandhisunionwentonstriketofightforfairwages.Forsixmonths,myfamily

livedon$45aweekinstrikepay.

Mydadandhiscoworkerswereneverwillingtosettleforlessthanafairwage,lessthandecent

benefitsfortheirfamilies,orlessthantheydeservedfortheirhardwork.Ioftenjoinedthemonthe

picketlineandwatchedthemstandupforthemselvesandeachother.

IcarriedtheseearlylessonswithmetotheGeneralAssemblyandIwillcarrythemwithmetothe

Governorsoffice.EverytimeacollectivebargainingissuehascomebeforetheHouse

AppropriationsCommitteeinAnnapolis,Ihavestoodshouldertoshoulderwithlabor.Ihavestood

withlawenforcement,healthcareworkers,campusemployees,educators,andcorrectional

officers.

Iunderstandatacorelevelthebargainthatworkersinorganizedlaborsignupfor:yougiveyour

jobyourallknowingyouwillnevergetrich, andinreturnyoudeservetoknowyourlivelihoodwillbeprotected.

BackgroundPoints

MSEAsupportseffortstoprotectandenhancethestatescollectivebargaininglaws.

Collectivebargainingisthenegotiationofacontractincludingwages,salaryscale,benefits,andworkingconditionsbetweenemployersandemployees.Theitemsagreedtoinaratifiedcollectivebargaining

agreementapplytoallemployeesinabargainingunit,providingabenefittoemployeesandemployersinnot

havingtonegotiatethousandsofindividualcontracts.

MSEAopposesrighttoworklaws.SuchlawsrestrictfreedomofassociationandweakenorganizedlaborinMaryland.Thestrengthoforganizedlaboriscriticaltoprotectingworkers,ensuringquality,andmaintaining

fairness,safety,andcompetitivewagesintheworkplace.


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PublicSchoolLaborRelationsBoard

13.DoyousupportoropposeMSEAseffortstoremovethesunsetforthePublicSchoolLaborRelationsBoard?

__X__ Support

_____ Oppose

Ifyousupport,andthe2014GeneralAssemblyfailstoactonthisissue,willyouincludethis

legislationasanadministrationbillin2015?

Yes,IwillincludelegislationtoremovethesunsetforthePublicSchoolLaborRelationsBoardasan

administrationbillin2015.

BackgroundPoints

ThePublicSchoolLaborRelationsBoard(PSLRB)wascreatedbytheGeneralAssemblyin2010bytheFairnessinNegotiationsAct.However,theBoardwasnotappointedandconstituteduntilspring2011and

hasonlybeenoperatingfortwoyears.

Thelegislationincludedasunsetprovisioninthesummerof2015that,ifnotremoved,willdissolvethePSLRB.

Overthelasttwoyears,thePSLRBhasrendereddecisionsinthefollowingmatters:o ImpasseDeterminations4requestso DutyofFairRepresentationCases15caseso ScopeofBargaining1caseo StatutoryViolations3cases

TherehavebeennonegotiationsthathaverequiredarbitrationbythePSLRBasallofthemhavebeenresolvedinmediation.

TheexistenceofthePSLRB,aswellasitsdecisions,havehadthepracticaleffectofbringingreasonablenesstothebargainingtableresultinginmoreproductiveconversationsinmostinstances.

MSEAopposesanyattempttoeliminateorlimitthePSLRB.


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TaxPolicy

14.Doyousupportoropposeclosingcorporatetaxloopholes,includingthepassageofCombinedReportinglegislationthatensuresmultistatecompaniescannothidetheirMarylandprofitsin

thetaxreturnsfromotherstates?

__X__ Support

_____ Oppose

AdditionalComments:

IstronglysupportclosingtheCombinedReportingcorporatetaxloophole.Lastyear,Iintroduced

andchampionedtheMainStreetEmployerTaxRebateAct,whichwouldclosethecombined

reportingloopholeandusetheadditionalrevenuetofundsmallbusinesstaxcuts.Thisapproach

levelstheplayingfieldforallbusinessesandputsmoneybackinthehandsofsmallbusinesses,

whichareourprovenjobcreators.

BackgroundPoints

MSEAsupportsarevenuestructurethatwillprovideapredictable,reliable,andstablesourceofsustainedfundingforeducation.

MSEAsupportsanequitablemeansofmaintainingandrestoringrevenueorofraisingandobtainingafair

shareofadditionalrevenuesthatdirectlyorindirectlybenefitpubliceducationatalllevels.Further,MSEA

opposesanytaxingorspendinglimitationsthatdirectlyorindirectlyhaveanadverseeffectonpublic

education.

MSEAisapartnerinabroadcoalitionofadvocatesthatsupportabalancedapproachtowardsolvingbudgetproblemsbymeetingtheneedsandservicesofthepublicwithadequateresources.MSEAsupported

updatingandrevisingthestateincometaxstructure,thestatesalestax,thetransportationinfrastructure

package,andcontinuestosupportcorporatetaxreformtocloseloopholesandtaxavoidanceschemes.

MSEAsupportsaproposalreferredtoascombinedreportingwhichrequiresthecombinedincomeofallcorporateentitiesfunctioningasasinglebusinesstobecomethestartingpointfortaxcalculations;thenthe

incomeisapportionedtoMarylandusingthecombinedapportionmentfactorsofallthemembersofthe

group.Combinedreportingisnecessarytoensuremultistatemegasizedcorporationspaytheirfairshareof

corporatetaxesinsteadofusingcreativebookkeepingtoshiftfinancesamongmultiplestatesandavoid

payingtaxes.EstimatesindicatethepassageofcombinedreportingwouldincreaseStaterevenuesby$50

millionperyear.


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IncreasingtheMinimumWage

15.DoyousupportoropposeaproposaltoraiseMarylandsminimumwagefrom$7.25to$10.00perhour,in3stepsovertwoyears,whileraisingtheminimumwagefortippedworkersfrom

50%to70%ofthefullminimumwage,andindexingbothannuallytokeeppacewiththecostof

living?

__X__ Support

_____ Oppose

AdditionalComments:

Todaysminimumwageisfartoolowitisnotafairwageanditisnotalivingwage.NoMaryland

workercansupportafamilyon$7.25anhour.Iwasacosponsoroftheminimumwagebillthis

pastsessionandstronglysupportincreasingit.

Supportingtheminimumwageincreaseistheeasypart.Thehardpartishavingthevisionand

strategicapproachtoseeitthrough.Wewillpassaminimumwageincreaseandpaidsickleave

legislationwhenwehaveagoverningapproachthatworksforbothworkersandemployers.

Increasingtheminimumwageandprovidingpaidsickleavearenotincompatiblewithathriving

smallbusinesseconomy.Weneedtoshifttheconversationtohowtheminimumwageimproves

oureconomy,puttingmoremoneyinthehandsofconsumers,whereitisthenrecycledbackinto

businessgrowth.

Iwillbeagovernorwillingtohavethatconversationwillingtofundamentallychangethewaywe

dobusinessandthewaywegovern.Wheretherearechallenges,Iseeopportunities.

BackgroundPoints

MSEAsupportsincreasingMarylandsminimumwageasapolicythatbothaidsworkingfamiliesandstimulatestheeconomythroughincreasedconsumerspending.

Marylandsminimumwageiscurrently$7.25perhour($15,000peryearforafulltimeworker).Tipped

workersearnaminimumwageof50percentofthefullminimumwage,or$3.63perhour.

19states,andtheDistrictofColumbia,haveminimumwagesthatarehigherthan$7.25.

Tenstateshaveadoptedprovisionstoindextheirminimumwagesothatitkeepspacewiththerisingcostoflivingandsothatthewagedoesnotfallinrealvalueeachyear.

EstimatesfromtheEconomicPolicyInstitutereflectthatanincreaseintheminimumwagewillraisepayfor536,000workingMarylanders.Thisraisewillinjectapproximately$492millionintoMarylandseconomyand

createanestimated4,280jobs.


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Privatization

16.Doyousupportoropposecontractingouttotheprivatesectoranyservicescurrentlyortraditionallyprovidedbypublicschoolemployees?

_____ Support__X__ Oppose

AdditionalComments:

BackgroundPoints

MSEAopposesanyefforttooutsourceorprivatizeeducationjobsthatarepartofabargainingunit.MSEAmaintainsthatanyattempttooutsourceorprivatizejobsofpubliceducatorsviolatescollectivebargaining

agreementsbecausesuchaneffortisinessenceterminatingorfiringbargainingunitpositions.

Outsourcingandprivatizationeffortshavethreatenedteacherandeducationsupportprofessional(ESP)jobsforyears.QueenAnnesCountyoutsourcedfoodservicejobsbeforecollectivebargainingwasextendedto

ESPsontheEasternShorein2002.

PrinceGeorgesCountycontractedoutdrivereducationteachersbackin1985.Thefightscontinuetoday,inplaceslikeFrederickCounty(privatizingcustodial/maintenanceservices)andKentCounty(privatizing

custodial/maintenanceservicesandteachersandassistants).Beyondthosespecificinstances,effortsto

privatizespecialeducationservicesareonarisethroughoutthestate.

Thispracticeofoutsourcingpubliceducationjobsisillegal.Acountyboardofeducationisstatutorilyobligatedtocarryoutandmaintainauniformsystemofpublicschoolsdesignedtoprovidequality

educationandequaleducationalopportunityforallchildren.(Section4107oftheEducationArticle).In

carryingoutthisobligation,acountyboardshallappointandsetthesalariesofallprincipals,teachers,and

othercertificatedandnoncertificatedpersonnel.(Section4103oftheEducationArticle).Moreover,the

GeneralAssemblyhasmadeitclearthatacountyboardofeducation,andnootherentity,istheemployer

forpurposesofcollectivebargaining.(Section6401oftheEducationArticle).Insum,theGeneralAssembly

didnotgiveacountyboardofeducationthepowertoabdicateitsauthoritytocarryoutandperform

educationalfunctionstoaprivateentity.

Whenjobsareoutsourced,qualitycontrolisdiminishedandsafetyiscompromised.Publicemployeesaresubjecttobackgroundchecksthatprivateemployersoftenskip.Afterprivatizing,localschoolboardslose

controlovertheindividualsworkinginschoolsandhavelittleabilitytoprovideinputonjobperformance.

Privateersoftenusecostsavingsasameansofwinningcontracts.Theamountisoftenmisleadingbecausetheylowballthefirstyearoperatingcosts.Ultimately,theyreducedhours,healthcarecoverageorjustcut

jobs.Allofwhichleadstoincreasedlocalunemploymentandlessoverallmoneyinthecommunity.


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CHARTERSCHOOLS

17.MSEAsupportscharterschoolsthatareunderthecontroloflocalschoolboards,requiremakingenrollmentopentoallstudents,areheldtotheidenticalhighstandardsastraditionalschools,

andprotectcollectivebargainingrightsofemployeeshiredattheschool.Doyousupportor

opposeMSEAspolicystatementwithregardstocharterschools?

__X__ Support

_____ Oppose

AdditionalComments:

BackgroundPoints

MSEAsupportsMarylandscurrentcharterschoollaw.Itprotectshighstandards,collectivebargainingrightsofemployees,andthelocalautonomyandneedsofaschoolsystem.Thelawalsoprovidesflexibilityfor

charterprovidersandemployeestoreachagreementsoutsideofacollectivebargainingagreementthatallowstheschooltomeettheneedsofitsmissionandstudents.Thiscombinationofprotectionsand

flexibilitymakesMarylandscharterschoollawthebestinthenation.

Marylandslawprovidesanopportunityforfocusedlearningusinginnovativecurriculaandinstructionalmethodswiththegoalofenhancingstudentachievement.Charterschoolsareimportantoptionswiththe

potentialtobenefitthebroadersystembyallowingittoexploreinnovativeteachingandlearningmethods

onascalable,pilotbasis.Marylandslawstrikestherightbalancebetweenlocalcontrol,accountability,and

innovativeinstruction.

Marylandcurrentlyhas55charterschoolsin6countiesandBaltimoreCity,withthevastmajority(39)locatedinBaltimoreCityservingalmost20,000students.Becauseofthestrongoversightandassistanceprovidedtocharterschoolsandthevigilanceinthereviewoftheeachproposedcharterschool,thesuccess

rateofthoseapprovedhereismuchhigherthananyotherstate.

Studieshaveconsistentlyshownthatalthoughsomecharterschoolsmaydowell,onaverage,mostperformaboutthesameasorworsethantraditionalpublicschools.

Inrecentlegislativesessionscharteradvocateshavechampionedlegislationthatwouldunderminelocalcontrolofschools,lowerstandardsandaccountability,andcircumventcertificationrequirementsand

collectivebargainingrights.Ourtoprankedschoolsdependonkeepingourstandardshighandourcharter

schoollawstrong.MSEAbelievesitisnecessarytocontinuetorejecteffortstooverhaulalawthatworksand

meetstheneedsofstudents,parents,schoolemployees,schooldistricts,andourstate.


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DIGITALLEARNING

18.MSEAbelievesinthecollaborativedevelopmentofdigitallearningplansthatarelivingdocuments,changingascircumstancesrequire.Theseplansshouldviewtechnologyasatoolto

enhanceandenrichstudentlearningratherthanareformthatusurpseducatorsandthe

teachingprofession.Expansionofdigitallearningrequiresequityforeverystudent;supportand

enhancedprofessionaldevelopmentforalleducators;andablendedapproachoftechnology

andtraditionalformsofdeliveringeducationforallstudents.DoyousupportoropposeMSEAs

policystatementwithregardstodigitallearning?

__X__ Support

_____ Oppose

AdditionalComments:

Icouldnotsayitanybetter.Thisisexactlyhowweshouldapproachtheopportunitiesand

challengesassociatedwithintroducingmoretechnologyintotheclassroom.

BackgroundPoints

MSEAbelievesdigitaltechnologiescreatenewopportunitiesforaccelerating,expanding,andindividualizinglearning.TeachingandlearningcannowoccurbeyondtraditionalphysicallimitationsandMSEAembraces

thisnewenvironmentandthetoolstobetterprepareourstudentsforcollegeand21 stcenturycareers.

Digitallearninginitiativesshouldbeviewedasopportunitiestoenhanceandbroadeninstructionratherthansimplyacostcuttingmeasurethateliminatesprofessionaleducationpositionsordiminishesteacherto

studentinteraction.

Digitallearningprogramsmustbealignedwiththestandards,curriculum,evaluations,andassessments.

EducationalprogramsandstrategiesdesignedtoclosetheachievementanddigitalgapsmustaddressequityissuesrelatedtobroadbandInternetaccess,softwareandtechnicalsupport,andmaintenance.Simply

movingtoalargescaleuseoftechnologyinprek12willbemorelikelytowidenachievementgapsamong

studentsthanclosethem.

Alleducatorsshouldhaveaccesstorelevant,highquality,andinteractiveprofessionaldevelopmentintheintegrationofdigitallearningandtheuseoftechnologyintotheirinstructionandpractice.

Educatorsandtheirlocalassociationsneedsupportandassistanceinvettingthequalityofdigitalcoursematerialsandindevelopingoraccessingtrusteddigitalvenuestosharebestpracticesandprovidesupport.

Anenvironmentthatmaximizesstudentlearningwilluseablendedmodelofeducatorinteractionandonlinelearning.Everyclasswillneedadifferentblend,andprofessionaleducatorsareinthebestpositionandmust

bedirectlyinvolvedindeterminingwhatblendworksbestinparticularclassesandwithparticularstudents.

Assessmentandaccountabilitysystemsneedtobecarefullydevelopedtoensureacademicintegrityandaccuratelymeasuretheimpactofdigitallearningonstudents.Thisincludesdevelopingstrategiestoensurestudentsarecompletingtheirownonlineassignmentsandtakingtheappropriateassessments.


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TEACHERANDPRINCIPALEVALUATIONS

19.Doyousupportoropposelocalautonomytodevelopevaluationsystemsincompliancewithstatuteandregulation?

__X__ Support

_____ Oppose

AdditionalComments:

BackgroundPoints

MSEAbelievesthateducatorevaluationsystemsmustbeeducatorinformed,researchbased,andcollaborativelydeveloped.Evaluationsystemsshouldbefair,transparent,timely,rigorous,valid,and

designedtoimproveinstructionbyfocusingonteachingandlearning.

InMayof2010,theGeneralAssemblypassedtheEducationReformAct.Inadditiontoprovidingearlymentoringforteacherswhomaybeatriskforfailingtoachievetenure,thelawmandatedthatstudent

growthwouldbeasignificantcomponentandoneofmultiplemeasuresinateachersevaluation.

Accordingtothelaw,noevaluationcriterioncouldaccountformorethan35%.Thelawalsomandatedthat

evaluationsystemsmustbemutuallyagreeduponatthelocallevel.

EachcountyhasworkedhardtoensurethattheirevaluationsystemsreflectprovisionsoftheEducationReformAct.Whilerevisingtheevaluationsystems,educatorsareimplementingthenewCommonCoreState

Standards,whilethestateisstillwaitingfornewstatewideassessments(PARCC)tobeapproved.Inthe

meantime,studentsandeducatorswillbeevaluatedbasedonMSAassessmentsthatdonotalignwiththe

newcurriculum.PARCCassessmentsarenotplannedtobeimplementeduntilthe201415schoolyear.

MSEAhasseriousconcernswiththepoorlyplannedtiming,implementation,andmisalignmentbetweentheevaluationsystem,CommonCore,andPARCCassessments.Aslongaswhatourstudentslearnisdifferent

fromwhattheyaretestedon,teachersandprincipalsareconcernedthatthismisalignmentcanprovetobe

decisiveinevaluationsandsomepeoplecouldlosetheirjobsunfairly,basedonuselessdata.Thissituation

willalsolikelyleadtoconfusionandfrustrationfromstudentsandparents.

Akeyprovisionofthenewevaluationswastherequirementforlocalagreementbetweenschoolboards,superintendents,andlocalassociations.Suchlocaldevelopmentallowsfortheevaluationsystemtomeet

theuniqueneedsofeachdistrict.Butinthelast18months,theU.S.DepartmentofEducationandMaryland

StateDepartmentofEducationhaveinsistedontheuniformuseofamorerigidstatemodel.

MSEAbelievesthecontinuedpushforhighstakesstudentassessmentsundermineseducatorscreativityandtheirabilitytorespondtotheneedsofstudents.Insteadofhighstakesassessments,MSEAsupportshigh

qualityassessmentsthatsupportstudentlearningfromarichcurriculumandwithroomforeducatorsvoices

inthedevelopmentofcurriculumandassessment.

Additionally,MSEAsupportsrigorousandrelevantprofessionaldevelopmentthroughthecontinuedalignmentofevaluationsystems,CommonCore,andPARCCassessments.Today,mostteachersreportthat

thenecessaryhighqualityprofessionaldevelopmenthasnotbeenprovided,yetthe20132014schoolyearis

whenimplementationbegins.


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Educationevaluationsarebesthandledlocally.IsupportatestingmoratoriumwhiletheCommon

CoreStandardsandaccompanyingPARCCtestsareimplemented,andbelievethat,inconjunction

withthecountyschoolboard,localsuperintendentsshouldhavetheauthoritytoputsucha

moratoriuminplace.Whilemyadministrationwillseektoensureallourschoolsystemshave

policyapproachesthatprepareeverystudentforasuccessfulfuture,Ibelievelocalautonomyis

crucialinmakingthebestdecisionsforourchildren.

20.Doyousupportoropposeeffortstooverturnschooldistrictsmutuallyagreedupon,statutorilycompliantevaluationmodelsinpursuitofonesizefitsallmodelsdevelopedbyfederaland

stateagenciesratherthanlocaleducationagencies?

_____ Support

__X__ Oppose

AdditionalComments:

21.DoyousupportoropposeeffortstoprovideeducatorswithsufficientprofessionaldevelopmenttoensurethattheycandeliverhighqualityinstructionalignedwiththenewCommonCore

StateStandards,andensurethatanystudentassessmentsthatinfluenceaneducator's

evaluationarewellalignedwiththecurriculum?

__X__ Support

_____ Oppose

AdditionalComments:

Istronglysupportensuringthateducatorshavetheprofessionaldevelopmentnecessarytoprovideexcellentinstruction.

EducatorsinMarylandneedvastlybetteraccesstoupdatedlessonplanningresources,teaching

techniques,andclassroommanagementstrategies.Whileweimplementthesenewstandardsand

examinations,teachersdeservetohavetheresourcesnecessarytoaligntheirinstructionwiththe

curriculum.

Wearenotpreparingoureducatorswellenoughforthechallengesahead,andthatiswhyIsupport

amoratoriumontestinguntilthenewstandardsandPARCCassessmentarefullyimplemented.

Educatorsshouldnotbeevaluatedonmaterialtheyarejustbeginningtoteach.Teacherevaluations

shouldnotincludetestresultsasafactorduringtheimplementationperiod.

Butmyconcernsgobeyondthemismatchbetweencurriculumandexams.IwanttoseeMaryland

taketheleadinshiftingawayfromthehighstakestestingculturerequiringeducatorstoteachto

thetest.Atitscore,educationisaboutfosteringandempoweringthecreativityandproblem

solvingabilitiesineverychild.Ifwereducetheheavyrelianceontestingasouronlymeansof

measuringsuccess,thenwecangivethepowerbacktoourteachersagain,freeingthemuptobring

outtheskillsandtalentsofeverystudent.


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SCHOOLBOARDAUTONOMY

22.Doyousupportoropposeeffortsfromcountygovernments(CountyExecutivesorCountyCommissioners)tousurptheroleoflocalschoolboardsintheselectionoflocalschool

superintendentsortoinfringeontheirbudgetautonomy?

_____ Support

__X__ Oppose

BackgroundPoints

MSEAsupportsfullschoolboardautonomy,includingtheabilitytoselectthesuperintendentandestablishcurriculumanddeveloppolicyaroundstudentachievementandparentandcommunityengagement.

Further,MSEAsupportstherightoftheschoolsystemtonegotiatecontractsandcarryoutcollective

bargainingresponsibilitiesingoodfaith.Thelocalboardsabilitytofulfilltheseresponsibilitiesshouldbefree

frominterferenceorusurpationbyagentsofcountygovernmentsandremainseparateandapartfromother

competingpoliticalandbudgetarypriorities.Acompletelyautonomousschoolboardshouldbeabletomake

decisionsthatarefreefrompoliticalconsiderationsandinthebestinterestsofthestudentsandeducation

employees

Legislationpassedin2013makesthePrinceGeorgesCountySchoolBoardtheonlyboardinthestatewithabsolutelynopowerorinputintheselectionofthelocalsuperintendent.Thissignificantlyrestrictsthe

authorityoftheboardandisatroublingprecedentthatthreatensthechecksandbalancesoflocalboards

andcountygovernmentsacrossthestate.

ThefinalversionofthePrinceGeorgesbillgivesthenewsuperintendent,selectedbythecountyexecutive,

authorityoverthedaytodayoperationsoftheschoolssystem,includingoverallsystemadministration,daily

fiscalaffairsincludingadministration,instructionalsalaries,textbooks,specialeducation,foodservice,

transportation,capitalplanningandexpenditures,developmentandimplementationofcurriculum,among

othermajorresponsibilities.

Thisreorganizationcompletelyusurpstheauthorityandresponsibilitiesoftheboard,exceptinafewinstances,andvestnearlyallauthorityinasuperintendentwhoservesatthepleasureoftheexecutive.


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ADDITIONALESSAYQUESTIONS

A. Pleasesharewhatyouconsidertobeyourmostsignificantachievements.

IammostproudofmyworktoexpandhealthcareaccesstoarangeofvulnerableMarylanders.In

myfirstyearinAnnapolis,Isponsoredasuccessfulbillallowingyoungadultstoremainonfamily

healthplansuptoage25.Thenextyear,myKidsFirstActusedaninnovativepolicyapproachto

findandenrollthousandsofeligiblebutuninsuredchildreninMarylandsinceitspassage,we

havecoveredanadditional50,000children.In2011,IworkedwithaRepublicancolleaguetopass

thebipartisanFamilyPlanningWorksAct,whichextendsfreefamilyplanningto35,000low

incomewomen,improvespublichealthoutcomes,andsavesstateMedicaidresources.Other

successfulbillsincludeextendinghealthcoveragetoformerfosterchildren;improvingcoveragefor

amputees;andeasingaccesstopreventivecare.Eachoftheseinitiativeshavehelpedusmake

tremendousprogresstowardsensuringeveryMarylanderhasaccesstoaffordablehealthcare

services.Theyareexamplesofthecommitted,policydrivengoverningstylethatIbringtomy

work.

B. Pleaseoutlineyourtopthreepubliceducationprioritiesandhowyouwouldmeasureandachievesuccessoneach.

Closingtheachievementgap

IamproudofMarylandsfirstinthenationpubliceducationranking.Thatwasearnedthrough

hardworkfromoureducatorsandarenewedcommitmenttopubliceducationbyourstate

government.However,thatrankingdoesnotapplytoeverychildineveryclassroominevery

community.Largeachievementgapsexistamongvaryingracialandsocioeconomicbackgrounds

andbridgingthisgapwillbeamongmyfirstprioritiesasgovernor.Iwilltacklethisproblemfrom

multipleangles:throughasignificantinvestmentinearlychildhoodeducationandafterschoolprograms;alargescale,innovativeapproachtorebuildingcrumblingclassroomsandschool

facilities;andensuringthateducatorsteachinginourtoughestschoolshavethetoolstheyneedto

succeed.

Preparingstudentsfortheirfuture

Marylandseconomiccompetitivenessdependsonhoweffectivelyweeducateourchildren.Iwanta

fargreatercommitmenttoensuringourgraduatinghighschoolseniorsarepreparedforwhat

comesnext,whetherthatbetheworkforce,college,orjobtraining.Atsomeofourhighereducation

institutions,morethanhalfofincomingfreshmenrequireremedialcoursework,makingitmore

likelytheywillfailtograduateontimeorwiththenecessaryskillsforsustainablecareers.Ensuring

thatallMarylandstudentsarepreparedforcollegewillbeoneofmytopgoals.

Whileeverystudentoughttobegiventheoptiontoattendcollege,noteverystudentneedsto

choosesuchapath.By2020,Marylandwillhaveover750,000jobstofillthatdonotrequirea

collegedegree,andweneedtomakesureourhighschoolsteachthespecificskillsneededforthose

jobs.


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Empoweringeducatorstoteach

Stategovernmentstrulyarethelaboratoriesofpublicpolicy.Ourabilitytoadvanceandadopt

innovativepolicyapproaches,awayfromthegridlockplaguingourfederalgovernment,givesus

immensefreedomtochangetheconversationonarangeofissues.Iwanttousethatfreedomtoput

thepowerbackinthehandsofoureducators.Theslowandsteadymarchtowardsmoretesting,

morestandards,andmoreevaluationissappingthecreativityandimaginationthatmakes

educationsorewardingtobotheducatorsandstudents.IwantMarylandtotaketheleadinbringingthatsenseofcreativityandimaginationbacktopubliceducation.Whetheritisthrougha

longermoratoriumontesting;reopeningtheconversationaboutevaluations;orevenconsidering

forgoingfederalresourcesinreturnforgreaterfreedom,Iwanttoexploreoptionsthatwillputthe

powerbackinthehandsofourteachersandeducators.Educatorsaretheoneswhofirstand

foremostmakeourpubliceducationsystemsuccessful,notthepolicymakers.Tomeasuresuccess,I

willseekinputandguidancefromeducatorsandadministrators,inconsultationwithMSEA,who

willreportdirectlytotheGovernorsofficeonourprogress.

C. Thegovernorhastremendousinputineducationandlaborissuesbyvirtueofappointmentsmadetothecabinet,andvariousboardsandcommissions.HowwillyouworkwithMSEAinmakingappointmentsthatimpacttheseissueareas?

Inmyadministration,educatorswillnotjusthaveaseatatthetabletheywillhaveanequalvoice

inhowourpubliceducationsystemcanbesuccessful,andtheirvoicewillbebackedbytheir

governor.

Ourschoolsaretheheartsofourcommunities.Theyprovideopportunitiesforcommunity

partnershipstostrengthenhealthservices,publicsafety,andothereffortstoreducepovertyand

increasequalityoflife.Becauseoureducatorsleadmanyofthesecommunitybasedpartnerships,

theyalsodeserveavoiceinappointmentdecisionsregardingnoneducationboardsand

commissions.IintendtopartnercloselywithMSEAonallissuesaffectingourstudents,familiesandcommunities.

D. PleaseexplainhowyouwouldworkwithMSEAwhenfacedwitheducationissuesnotimmediatelyapartofyourplatformand/orpriorityagenda(i.e.discipline,suspension,school

safety,specialeducation,teachercertification)?

Marylandisanamazingstate,withincrediblytalentedthinkersanddoers.Oneachissuewe

address,myadministrationwillcallupontheexperts,theimplementers,andthepeopleonthe

groundthatknowwhatdoesanddoesnotwork.IfullyexpectMSEAtoplayanactivepartnering

roleonanyissuetheyconsiderapriority.

E. Pleaseexplainhow,asGovernor,youwouldbuildrespectfortheeducationprofessioninordertohelpattractandretainthehighestqualityeducatorsinprekthroughsecondaryeducation.

Fromapolicyperspective,Ihaveoutlinedanumberofprioritiesdesignedtorecruitandretainthe

besteducators,including:increasingeducatorsalaries;lesseningtheimpactofeducationcostson

newteachers;supportingandstrengtheningasecureretirement;empoweringteacherstoteachin

theclassroom;andreducingclasssizes.Wewillalsotakeadeeperlookathowwereduceteacher


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attritionthroughinputdirectlyfromeducators,becausetheyaretheonlyoneswhoknowwhythey

leaveandwhatwouldmakethemstay.Ourpoliciesshouldbeshapedbythisknowledge.

Atalargerlevel,Iwanttotransformhowwevieweducatorsandteachersinthisstate.Ifyoulook

aroundtheworld,thecountrieswiththebesteducationsystemsandthebestoutcomesallhaveone

thingincommon:teachingisarespectedprofession.Fewpeopleinourliveswillhaveagreater

impactonourfuturesthanthosewhoeducateusinourformativeyears.

Forme,thatpersonwasmyjuniorandsenioryearEnglishteacher,Mrs.Bugg.Shetaughtmehow

toembracethinkingoutsidetheboxandharnessitasaskill.Shetaughtmeaboutconvictionand

loyalty.Shedemandedexcellencefromherstudents,butrepaiditwithrespect.Shesowell

preparedmeformyfuturecareersthatIcanscarcelyimaginemylifewithoutMrs.Buggsinfluence.

ButIoftenwonderwhetheraMrs.Buggcouldexistintodaysteachingworld.Shehadthefreedom

andsupporttodesignacurriculumthatfittheneedsofherstudents.Wheneducatorslosethe

freedomtostructuretheirteachingtofittheneedsoftheirstudents,wealllose.

Untilwestoptreatingeducatorsasjustanotherinterestgroupfightingforitsneedsandtakeastep

backtorecognizetheimpacttheyhaveonthefutureofourchildren,oureconomy,andour

communities,wewillneverbuildthekindofrespectforpubliceducationthatwetrulyneed.

Iamreadytochangetheconversationaboutpubliceducation,andcommittoyouthatthroughboth

myvaluesandmypolicyactions,wecanbuildtherespectforeducatingourchildrenthatyou

deserve.Iaskthatyoujoinme.

Documents

Heather Mizeur 2013 MSEA Survey Responses