I’ve never received a message like this before:

          We are told that they [the KIPP school and the Baltimore Teachers Union] are close to an agreement. Any chance we can move our bill down the list [of bills to be heard in my committee today] to allow for more time?

          The email this noon was from one of the pro bono lobbyists for KIPP, a charter school in my district whose students have excelled.

           Last year, KIPP’s middle school students out-performed the state average on the Maryland State Assessment in reading and math. KIPP sends its 8th graders to the city’s best public and private high schools, helping many of them secure scholarships.

          86% of KIPP’s first graduating class finished high school in four years, and everyone of those students earned admission to college.

          Central to KIPP students’ success are their teachers. Their commitment to these children extends beyond regular class hours. KIPP cannot afford to pay them the overtime rates mandated in the contract for teachers in Baltimore City.

          My bill would allow a charter school such as KIPP to conduct a secret ballot election among its employees to vote on an amendment to a collective bargaining agreement. An 80% super majority would be needed to adopt the amendment.

           This democratic process respects both the collective bargaining agreement and KIPP’s commitment to its students.

           The introduction of my legislation had its desired effect. It prompted KIPP administrators and officials of the Baltimore Teachers Union to discuss a long-term solution to this matter.

           This afternoon, they initialed the outlines of an understanding.

            To give the news about this agreement to the 100 parents of KIPP students gathered in Annapolis to testify for the bill and share their joy is a moment that I have never experienced before and will never forget.

March 16