I introduced House Bill 792 in 2011.
I did so at the request of KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program), a charter school in my neighborhood. Jason Botel was the school’s leader. He’s now in Washington, serving as the deputy assistant secretary for elementary and secondary education.
In an article headlined Some Hires by Betsy DeVos Are a Stark Departure From Her Reputation, the New York Times reported yesterday:
As the operator of KIPP, Mr. Botel battled the Baltimore Teachers Union over the school’s extended day, which resulted in a deal that both sides praised.
KIPP came to me and then Senator Catherine Pugh because it could not afford to pay its teachers the overtime required under the City schools’ union contract for their 9 ½ –hour day.
Our legislation would have allowed a charter school to adopt an exemption from the union contract if 80% of its teachers voted to do so. The bill was designed to bring the teachers union and KIPP to the negotiating table.
The day of the public hearing, those discussions were at a crucial point. We asked that HB 792 be delayed to the end of that day’s hearing schedule.
During that extra time, an agreement was reached.
Dozens of KIPP parents had come to Annapolis. I had the honor of telling them of our success.
They don’t have many wins in their lives, I said to myself afterwards.
If I have another chance to tell them they have a win, I’d jump at it.
