It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Perry Hall Mansion gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Perry Hall, MD is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Always Best care is the best! Their caregiver is very nice with respective attitude. They”
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“I am a past client of this provider ABC Upper Chesapeake provided excellent and compassionate care”
“I met with Elaine Gill as we needed a secure place for my Dad. She”
“I cannot really find the words to say how wonderful the staff is at Always”
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“I interviewed this provider Elaine is professional, knowledgeable, and has a heart for people. Her recommendations”
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“Always Best care is the best! Their caregiver is very nice with respective attitude. They are all expert and knows their job very well in all ages. I never regret that their service to take care of my grandmother. They are trustworthy, respectful, honest and passionate to their work. I highly recommend them on their work.”
“I am a past client of this provider My mother passed away two months ago after nearly four years of coverage from the team members of ABC Upper Chesapeake. Mom and I were both very pleased with the coverage. ABC was most congenial to do their best to provide Mom with caretakers whom we found suited to Mom's personality and temperament. In the very few cases this was not so, we asked for someone else to care for Mom and this was promptly provided. All in all the caretakers were kind, friendly, competent and helpful, providing Mom with good care and company. Elaine G was very helpful in getting us in contact with the VA so that Mom was able to obtain a monthly benefit entitled to her because of Dad's service in the military. That was a great financial help to us in our particular situation. I strongly recommend this agency for the homebound and ill. They will work with you to do all they can to grant your reasonable requests. Thank you, Elaine and caretakers!”
“I am a past client of this provider ABC Upper Chesapeake provided excellent and compassionate care for my late father during his prolonged decline at age 95. The care enabled him to live in his home with my mom during his final months of life. Elaine worked with me diligently to match my parents' difficult situation with the perfect caregiver. My father was treated with dignity and gentleness when he was no longer able to care for himself at all. It gave our family great peace of mind knowing he was so well cared for.”
“I met with Elaine Gill as we needed a secure place for my Dad. She was very knowledgeable and professional. Fortunately, the second location she showed us was a good fit (Dakota Paradise). I heartily recommend Always Best Care if you want help finding a loved one the proper care.”
“I cannot really find the words to say how wonderful the staff is at Always Best Care of Upper Chesapeake: Highly competent, Comforting, caring, extremely attentive, endlessly patient and reassuring. Elaine Gill has done an amazing job at ensuring that the staff she has are just as committed to ensuring the highest quality of life for every client, as Elaine! You are on the top of my list for any further care services that my family members may need going forward.”
“I interviewed this provider I used Always Best Care to care for my parents who happen to live in another state. I met with Elaine (the owner) to discuss my options and determine the best caregiver service to meet my parents needs. She was a great help; addressed all my questions and concerns and gave me peace of mind that my parents were in good hands. Their caregiver is wonderful and very competent. I don't have to worry about them or become a detective to find out what is going on with them in Maryland. Although my parents were a little skeptical at first, Elaine and her staff have put their mind at ease and made them feel very comfortable about the entire experience. They both feel much safer now and happier that they are able to stay in the home that they love. I am comforted in knowing that my parents are receiving quality care and they are in the capable hands of Elaine and her staff at Always Best Care. Words can not express my sincere gratitude for the awesome care provided to my parents.”
“I used Always Best Care to care for my parents who happen to live in another state. I met with Elaine (the owner) to discuss my options and determine the best caregiver service to meet my parents needs. She was a great help; addressed all my questions and concerns and gave me peace of mind that my parents were in good hands. Their caregiver is wonderful and very competent. I don't have to worry about them or become a detective to find out what is going on with them in Maryland. Although my parents were a little skeptical at first, Elaine and her staff have put their mind at ease and made them feel very comfortable about the entire experience. They both feel much safer now and happier that they are able to stay in the home that they love. I am comforted in knowing that my parents are receiving quality care and they are in the capable hands of Elaine and her staff at Always Best Care. Words can not express my sincere gratitude for the awesome care provided to my parents.”
“I am a past client of this provider I cannot really find the words to say how wonderful the staff is at Always Best Care of Upper Chesapeake: Highly competent, Comforting, caring, extremely attentive, endlessly patient and reassuring. Elaine Gill has done an amazing job at ensuring that the staff she has are just as committed to ensuring the highest quality of life for every client, as Elaine! You are on the top of my list for any further care services that my family members may need going forward.”
“I interviewed this provider Elaine is professional, knowledgeable, and has a heart for people. Her recommendations have been invaluable. We are thankful for Always Best! It is a 5 Star Company!!”
“I interviewed this provider When we needed help getting our Father the proper care we were recommended to Elaine and ABC. It was the right move. Fortunately for us the second location she showed us was the right fit. It's been a difficult time and having their expertise eased our concerns.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Snyder Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Conrad's Seafood Restaurant, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Perry Hall, MD, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Perry Hall, MD understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Perry Hall, MD 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
MARYLAND — Dispensary tip-sharing practices drew an employee lawsuit in Baltimore and Montgomery Counties.Workers at Curaleaf locations in Reisterstown and Montgomery Village alleged that their tips were "unlawfully" split with supervisors. Curaleaf also has stores in Columbia and Frederick. Employees at all four Maryland locations may soon be eligible to sign onto the case in a class action lawsuit.Curaleaf denied any wrongdoing and said it plans to fight the lawsuit.Curaleaf store associates Gabriella B...
MARYLAND — Dispensary tip-sharing practices drew an employee lawsuit in Baltimore and Montgomery Counties.
Workers at Curaleaf locations in Reisterstown and Montgomery Village alleged that their tips were "unlawfully" split with supervisors. Curaleaf also has stores in Columbia and Frederick. Employees at all four Maryland locations may soon be eligible to sign onto the case in a class action lawsuit.
Curaleaf denied any wrongdoing and said it plans to fight the lawsuit.
Curaleaf store associates Gabriella Beck of Owings Mills and Ronnie Matthews of Rockville filed the suit on March 6 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. Beck worked at the Reisterstown location from April 2024 until this February. Matthews has worked at the Montgomery Village dispensary in Gaithersburg since December 2021.
The lawsuit said Curaleaf requires employees to pool all tip money and split it based on hours worked, leading supervisors to collect a larger portion of the tips than the customer-facing workers.
Curaleaf, which has dispensaries in 14 states, told Patch Wednesday it is aware of the lawsuit.
"We categorically deny these allegations and fully intend to defend against this lawsuit. Curaleaf's tipping policies are designed to be fair, transparent, and in compliance with all applicable laws," the company told Patch in an emailed statement. "We take these matters seriously and remain committed to upholding fair labor practices across all of our locations. We stand by our policies and look forward to setting the record straight through the legal process."
Each Curaleaf location has 15 to 18 associates, known as budtenders, and three or four leads. There is usually one assistant manager and one store manager.
Budtenders are the ones who handle most transactions and product recommendations, and some say they have tip jars with their names on them, while supervisors manage access to the product vault and account for all cash in the registers.
“Tips are the property of the employee,” the plaintiff's attorney, Sarah Block, told The Baltimore Banner. “So it's not permitted to share your tips with the supervisors and managers, because they're considered the employer.”
The lawsuit demanded a jury trial and raised two counts against Curaleaf: violating the Fair Labor Standards Act and unjust enrichment.
The suit requests that associates collect back pay for their tips, receive damages equal to the tips withheld and obtain reimbursement for legal fees.
The plaintiffs are also moving to make this a class action lawsuit, as they say more than 75 other employees may be affected.
"Unfortunately, illegal tip pooling is commonplace in the cannabis industry because employers wrongly assume that when they pay Budtenders at the hourly minimum wage or higher, they can do whatever they want with the tips left by customers," Block told The Baltimore Sun in a statement.
Sun, Mar 16, 2025 at 6:00 PMAn die Musik LIVE, 409 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD, 21201More info hereJoin pianist Adam Makowicz and saxophonist Krystof Medyna for an evening of jazz at An die Musik Live!Krystof Medyna and Adam Makowicz have been performing together si...
Join pianist Adam Makowicz and saxophonist Krystof Medyna for an evening of jazz at An die Musik Live!
Krystof Medyna and Adam Makowicz have been performing together since 2012. In August 2024, they recorded their first album “New York Flavors” under the label FOR TUNE, and in October they performed at the Kennedy Center. Their repertoire contains mainly American jazz standards and their own compositions.
Adam Makowicz is a Polish/American pianist and composer living in New York since 1978. He performs jazz and classical piano pieces, as well as his own compositions. His technical skills as jazz pianist have been compared to that of Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson and Erroll Garner. He studied classical music at the Chopin Conservatory of Music in Cracow, Poland. Overcoming cultural restrictions under communism, he developed a passion for modern jazz at a time when political freedom and improvisation were disapproved of by the pro-Soviet authorities. After years of hardship, Makowicz got a regular gig at a small jazz club in a cellar of a house in Cracow. By the mid 1970s, he was one of the leading pianists in Europe. He was named "Best Jazz Pianist" by the readers of Jazz Forum Magazine and was awarded a gold medal for his contribution to the arts.
Within a jazz solo-piano tradition established by the likes of Art Tatum, Dave McKenna, Dick Hyman and the like, Makowicz stands out as a master as distinct voice, thanks partly to his Polish heritage and his embrace of Chopin.
Krystof (Krzysztof) Medyna is a Polish/American jazz musician who has been performing for over 50 years. He started his musical career in Poland, and prior to coming to the US, he played for three years in Sweden and toured in the former Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia and East Germany. He's been described as a "powerful, hair-raising reed player".
For decades, with Andrzej Winnicki, he was co-leader of fusion jazz group BREAKWATER, which made three recordings. In 1979 they were awarded first prize in the Jazz on Oder Festival. Krystof won first prize as a soloist, as well. He led and recorded with several other groups, as well. Since 1995, Krystof has been a performing member of the Emotionalists, an international artistic group founded in 1994 on the initiative of a well-known sculptor, Prof. Lubomir Tomaszewski.
Limited in-person seats: $25/ $10 studentsIn-person attendees receive a link to the recording to view for one week.
Streaming passes: $15The link will remain active through March 23
Donations welcome!
A disability-focused pre-kindergarten center will close a year early in Baltimore County due to declining enrollment and aging facilities.Patch StaffGWYNN OAK, MD — Baltimore County Public Schools will close a disability-focused pre-kindergarten center a year early.BCPS announced Friday that this will be the last school year for Gwynn Oak's Campfield Early Learning Center. The original plan was to close Campfield at the end of the 2025-26 academic year."With fewer than 60 students projected to attend ...
Patch Staff
GWYNN OAK, MD — Baltimore County Public Schools will close a disability-focused pre-kindergarten center a year early.
BCPS announced Friday that this will be the last school year for Gwynn Oak's Campfield Early Learning Center. The original plan was to close Campfield at the end of the 2025-26 academic year.
"With fewer than 60 students projected to attend Campfield in the next school year, it was determined that students' needs could be better met by transitioning programs and students to their home schools or to nearby regional programs at the end of the current school year," BCPS said in a press release. "BCPS staff affected by the new timeline would be prioritized as transfers this spring."
The early closure proposal emerged last month. The Baltimore County Board of Education on March 11 voted to approve the early closure.
The decision can be appealed to the Maryland State Board of Education within 30 days.
WYPR reported that the school board initially approved the closure by a 6-5 vote in September 2023.
At the time, WYPR said one-third of Campfield's then 377 students had disabilities and over half came from families with low incomes.
WYPR said those supporting the closure say the school is in poor condition and students would be better served at more modern facilities. Support programs for Campfield students would continue at their new schools. Closure opponents think Campfield students need individualized attention, which is more difficult in a full elementary school, WYPR said.
Campfield is located at 6834 Alter St.
Related: Pre-K Center May Close Year Early In Baltimore County
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PERRY HALL, MD — Dozens of teachers rallied for raises Wednesday evening outside a budget hearing at Perry Hall High School. Teachers union members held signs reading "BCPS furloughed psychologists" and "No data no decision."Sporting matching red T-shirts, the Teachers Association of Baltimore County reminded officials that they're due for a pay increase....
PERRY HALL, MD — Dozens of teachers rallied for raises Wednesday evening outside a budget hearing at Perry Hall High School. Teachers union members held signs reading "BCPS furloughed psychologists" and "No data no decision."
Sporting matching red T-shirts, the Teachers Association of Baltimore County reminded officials that they're due for a pay increase.
WMAR and WBAL-TV reported that TABCO agreed in fall 2023 to a 14% raise for its members spread over three years. A tight budget outlook has educators wondering if the deal will hold.
"We got year one, and now we are worried about year two," TABCO President Cindy Sexton told WBAL. "It is a promise that was made to those bargaining unions, so we want to make sure that that promise is kept. It's always been about recruiting and retaining our educators. Our students need educators in the classroom, and we know that there's a national educator shortage, so let's do what we can in Baltimore County to attract them and to keep them for our students."
WMAR said Kevin Reed, director of the Office of Budget and Finance, is concerned about the roughly $400 million in funding the county expects from the federal government. Reed added that there's a $62 million gap between the funds allotted for the county budget and the total requests received, WMAR reported.
County Executive Kathy Klausmeier (D) hosted the District 5 town hall alongside County Council Member David Marks (R-Upper Falls), listening to speeches from community groups requesting money. Hundreds attended the session, and dozens of residents spoke.
Klausmeier already told WYPR the county can't afford to fund the entire $2.98 billion operating budget requested for Baltimore County Public Schools. The proposed school budget is a 6.5% increase from last year and a 21.7% spike when adding in the capital construction budget request, The Baltimore Sun said.
Maryland is also facing a budget deficit of about $3 billion, leaving Baltimore County uncertain how much money it will receive from the state.
"This uncertainty means we are facing challenges to continue funding ongoing programs and new initiatives," Klausmeier said, according to WBAL. "We are proud of what we deliver, but we want to continue painting a realistic picture of the challenges we are facing and the difficult decisions we will need to make."
To see footage from the rally, watch the video stories from WMAR and WBAL. The full meeting is viewable at this link.
The final budget town hall is scheduled for District 7 on March 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Sollers Point Multi-Purpose Center in Dundalk. The live stream will be available here.
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