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THIS MONTH IN ANNAPOLIS

Trone, Boafo Earn NEA Endorsement in Congressional Races

The National Education Association (NEA) has made a recommendation for former Maryland Rep. David Trone (D) in Maryland’s Congressional District 6primary and for Del. Adrian Boafo (D-Prince George’s) in Congressional District 5, following the recommendations of the MSEA Board of Directors. These recommendations come at the conclusion of an inclusive process highlighted by thorough candidate questionnaires and interviews conducted by local educators in each district with the candidates pursuing NEA’s recommendation.

“Adrian Boafo is a champion for Maryland’s students and working families. He knows that every student—no matter their background, race, or where they live—deserves access to high-quality public schools,” said NEA President Becky Pringle. “Adrian is focused on expanding opportunities and strengthening the public schools that serve 90% of Maryland students. He will continue to help lower costs for working families and will be a valued partner in delivering results for students, educators, and communities across Maryland. The National Education Association is proud to recommend Adrian Boafo for Maryland’s 5th Congressional District.” 

“David Trone has been a consistent and effective advocate for working families and a trusted partner in the work to ensure that every Maryland student—regardless of their background, race, or ZIP code—has access to strong public schools,” Pringle said. “David supports expanding learning opportunities for students and has stood firm against vouchers that divert critical resources away from the public schools that serve 90% of Maryland students. We are excited to continue our work together to deliver results for students, educators, and communities across Maryland. The National Education Association is proud to recommend David Trone for Maryland’s 6th Congressional District.”  

“David Trone is a tireless champion for Maryland’s schools, and what stands out most is his focus on both the challenges we’re facing today and the future we’re building toward,” said MSEA President Paul Lemle. “He understands that if we want stronger communities tomorrow, we have to invest in students, educators, and schools today. From expanding opportunities to delivering federal support, he’s always been a strong, consistent fighter for Maryland’s students and those who support them. At a time when so much is at stake in our communities, we need proven leadership that stands up and gets results—and that’s exactly what David does. David Trone has earned our vote.”

“We are thrilled to be endorsing Adrian Boafo in his campaign for Congress,” Lemle said. “He has traveled this district from Bowie to Leonardtown, meeting educators where they are and standing up for our schools every step of the way. Now, as Donald Trump launches reckless attacks on public education, we need Adrian’s voice in Congress more than ever. He is the leader this moment demands.”

NEA, MSEA, and their members have a long history of running robust voter contact and education programs, communicating with millions of Maryland families, and playing a decisive role in some of the most consequential elections in our state.

Maryland’s primary elections will take place on June 23 and the general election will be on Nov. 3. The deadline to request a mail-in ballot for the primaries is June 16 to receive it by mail or fax and June 19 to have it sent via email. Find all of MSEA’s recommended candidates at MDAppleBallot.com.

Maryland Ranks #7 for Average Teacher Salary and #11 for ESP Salary

The latest annual National Education Association (NEA) report on educator pay documents the negative continuing trend that educator pay does not keep up with inflation. Despite gains, teacher pay has failed to keep up with inflation over the past decade. Adjusted for inflation, teachers earn about 5% less today than they did 10 years ago.

In Maryland, MSEA advocacy and the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future have substantially improved pay, and pay in Maryland is far above the national average. The report ranked Maryland #7 in average teacher salary, #6 on average starting teacher pay, and #11 for average education support professional (ESP) pay. The pay gap—the difference between pay for educators and comparable professionals of equal experience—is 72 cents, meaning that educators earn 72 cents for every dollar made by comparable professionals.

NEA’s data, from the 2024-2025 school year, indicated that the average public school teacher salary rose 3.5% from $71,985 in 2023-2024 to $74,495 in 2024-2025; the average annual ESP wage was $38,494. Data again showed that unions positively influence educator pay. In states where educators have collective bargaining rights, teachers earn 24% more and ESPs earn 13% more. The national average starting teacher salary was $48,112, and the District of Columbia had the highest starting teacher salary at $64,640. Maryland ranked 6^th in average starting teacher pay at $57,293. In the 2026-2027 school year, the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future mandates a minimum teacher starting salary of $60,000. Still, the persistent pay gap and negative impacts of inflation on the purchasing power of salaries require attention.

MSEA Keeps Pressure on State to Implement Blueprint’s Mandated Collaborative Time

At the State Board of Education (SBOE) April 28 meeting, MSEA President Paul Lemle said he looks forward to working with the SBOE to implement the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future collaborative time program. Collaborative time is when educators work together to enrich their pedagogy and support of students by broadening, updating, and building skills and working closely with students, families, and colleagues, and it is a crucial feature of the Blueprint pillar to support highly qualified and diverse educators. Last year’s General Assembly delayed the phase in of collaborative time to begin in the 2028-2029 school year. Lemle urged the board to start planning to implement the program now. “Collaborative time is a game changer for the state’s recruitment and retention goals,” Lemle said.

He volunteered MSEA’s expertise to provide models for staffing and scheduling to optimize the implementation. “We must reach a shared understanding that collaborative time is nonnegotiable. Collaborative time is crucial to the Blueprint’s promise and ultimately its success.”

Acknowledging difficult budget discussions to come, Lemle said, “We stand ready to offer solutions.”

Budget Funds Grow Your Own Educator Programs around Maryland

The fiscal year 2027 budget includes $19.4 million for the continuation of Grow Your Own (GYO) educator programs and expansion of new GYO programs. This builds on a similar amount included in the FY 2026 budget that provided the funds that were awarded in an initial round of GYO grants earlier this week. The largest GYO grants will be awarded to Montgomery County Public Schools ($6 million) and a consortium of seven Eastern Shore districts ($4.6 million). Montgomery will use the grant funds to provide licensure pathways for more than 160 paraprofessionals, conditionally licensed teachers, and apprentices. Other recipients included public school systems in Prince George’s ($3 million), Charles ($2 million), Washington ($1.8 million), Worcester ($985,540), and Frederick ($855,646) counties.

NEWS AND NOTES

SCOTUS Considers Discrimination Against LGBTQ+ Students, Athletes

With challenges to human and civil rights increasing, the U.S. Supreme Court is considering whether a publicly funded religious school is required to admit the children of gay parents. In Colorado, one of the plaintiffs, Wellspring Catholic Academy, refused to admit an elementary school student who has same-sex parents, according to court documents from the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The 10th circuit in September ruled against the plaintiffs. In other cases, the Supreme Court is to rule on the right of transgender girls to play on girls’ sports teams, and whether Title IX statute protects LGBTQ+ students. Advocates like MSEA will continue to fight for the rights of all students to have the same access to publicly funded pre-K-12 education.

CAMPAIGN 2026

Voter Rights at Stake in SCOTUS Case; Trump, Republicans Seek Constraints on Mail-in Ballots

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday against the national Voting Rights Act provision to draw voting maps that ensure representation for minority populations. The court’s ruling against Louisiana’s voting map now threatens voting rights across the nation. In anticipation of such a disappointing ruling, in Maryland’s recently concluded legislative session, MSEA proudly supported the successful legislation to establish a state Voting Rights Act to ensure all populations have fair representation.

In dual risks to voting rights, President Trump issued an executive order and the Supreme Court is hearing a case that could limit mail-in voting in federal elections. In 2024, 30% of Democrats and 16% of Republicans mailed their ballots. Maryland State Elections Administrator Jared DeMarinis said 800,000 to 1 million voters typically vote by mail.

In the presidential order that several states call unconstitutional, Trump ordered the Department of Homeland Security to work with the Social Security Administration to make a list of eligible voters in each state and deny mail-in ballots to anyone not on each state’s approved list.

The Supreme Court case, brought by the Republican National Committee (RNC), seeks to eliminate Mississippi’s five-day grace period for mailed ballots to arrive if they are postmarked by Election Day. Maryland has a 10-day grace period, and the District of Columbia and 13 other states have varying grace periods. The federal law at issue pertains to November general elections, not primary elections.

The RNC argues that Election Day is a federally designated date after which ballots are not allowed. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in October 2024 that federal law requires ballots to be received by Election Day.            

Depending on the validity of Trump’s order and the Supreme Court’s decision, Maryland election officials and parties will have to conduct major education campaigns to inform the public of restrictions on their voting. “It could have a significant impact on mail-in voting in Maryland,” DeMarinis said. The state board is “ready to engage in voter outreach and education for mail-in voters to make sure they are not disenfranchised due to lateness or technical deficiencies.” Currently, for the general election, mail-in ballot requests should be sent in by Oct. 27 for mail or fax delivery and Oct. 30 for email delivery.