Pros
Calvert County/Southern Maryland is a nice place to live although it is getting more expensive. The teachers are very good. Support Staff is wonderful. Great economic diversity, though not a great deal of ethnic diversity. (You) will feel safe.
Cons
I have worked in all education levels and all areas of the county. * Salaries are stagnant - as well as steps. I've been teaching for 27 years. I am currently at step 22. The last raise we received - several years ago was for 0.5%. Medical costs have increased. My take home is less than it was 5 years ago. * Rewards long term employees by freezing salary between steps15-20 and 20-25. 25 years is the top of the salary. They know we can't afford to go to another system because we won't get credited with the proper number of years so they can treat us poorly. * Administration is sketchy. Depends upon the school you are in. * Great deal of favoritism toward male teachers and athletic coaches. * Lip service toward acceptance of diversity. Saying that we do not tolerate bullying/racism/anti-LGBTQA is not the same as understanding what to do to make it better. * From the top down, administrators are allowed to play favorites and subtly punish those who do not fit into a traditional mold. * The Board of Education does not comply with negotiated pay raises. * The Calvert County Board of Commissioners is proud of the fact that they haven't raised taxes since 1987. This is why funding is so poor. * Yes, test scores are pretty good, This is thanks to teachers being forced to teach to the test. Education is NOT a number. It is about individual humans. * Buildings are well maintained unless you consider the heating/AC system. Classrooms are either freezing or blazing hot. * The current observation and rating system is a mess. Very subjective, though it is supposed to be objective. (Based on Danielson) Teachers ratings include areas over which they have no control. Administrators do not have to explain ratings. Teachers have no recourse. * Teachers are overwhelmed and the work load as well as class size is being increased.