Anne Arundel Teachers Press Busch On School Funds

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Anne Arundel County teachers are telling House Speaker Michael Busch they are overworked and underpaid as the 2014 legislative session begins.

The Capital reports Busch, a former teacher, met with the Teachers Association of Anne Arundel County on Saturday.

Busch said the General Assembly provides $6.2 billion for Maryland schools, making them some of the best funded in the nation.

But some teachers told Busch that funding is still lagging in some areas. One teacher who said she has worked in Anne Arundel County schools for 24 years said teachers can go to neighboring jurisdictions and earn more money.

According to state figures, the average teacher in Anne Arundel County earned $61,643 in 2012. Statewide, the average was $64,248. The budget for 2015 includes a 2 percent raise.