Teachers' Union Calls Non-Member Teachers "Parasites"

This article is part of a series of looks into the activities of local non-profit and government organizations in Washington County.

UPDATE: WCTA has moved the "parasite" verbiage from their webpage, but refuses to return any requests for comment regarding this issue.

HAGERSTOWN, MD - In an online document published by the Washington County Teachers Association, non-member teachers are referred to as "a parasite living off the commitment of members paying to support a strong organization."

The webpage, titled "Answering The Hard Question About Joining the Association", is currently located at the WCTA website at http://washington.mstanea.org/answeringhardquestions.htm. (Note: This document has been modified since publication of this article. For a view at the original copy, please view this link.) The document is designed to be used by WCTA representatives to get non-member teachers to join the Association.

The webpage also states that "Individuals who do not join are freeloading off members who do. Those in the school system who pay and support negotiation services also pay to support salary gains for non-members."

And in a rather disturbing question, "If non-members don't want to join, would they be willing to turn their salary gains back to WCTA to be distributed to the members who paid the freight?"

Finally, the document also make multiple references to legislators not acting on the letters of voters, and that only lobbying will produce results. "'writing letters to your legislative representatives' does not produce legislation. It takes a powerful legislative lobbying effort, which is provided by WCTA, MSEA and NEA."

The fact that WCTA makes the claim that joining is the only way for teachers' voice to be heard by legislators is very interesting, considering the WCTA IRS filings state that they do not engage in direct or indirect campaigning, and have left blank for the past three years if WCTA participates in lobbying activities.

Excerpt from WCTA IRS form 990 filed in 2013

In 2010 the WCTA donated $430.00 to Karen Harshman's Board of Education campaign, but only after she won the election. Requests for comment from the WCTA have gone unanswered.

Additionally, WCTA president Denise Fry participated in an press conference at WCPS owned site for the future West Elementary school - a press conference which was not authorized or supported by WCPS or the City of Hagerstown, intended to criticize Maryland Governor candidate Larry Hogan's plan for reforming the state's budget.

This year, WCTA is clearly campaigning, as evidenced by president Denise Fry's Facebook post.

WCTA President posting about campaigning activities

Article by Ken Buckler, Editor

Teachers Union Donated Hundreds to Harshman after Winning 2010 Election

HAGERSTOWN, MD - Continuing the WashCo Chronicle's investigations into accountability of local government and non-profit organizations, WashCo Chronicle has begun reviewing campaign finance reports which are publicly available through the State of Maryland.

The first non-profit researched was the Washington County Teachers Association (WCTA), the union for Washington County teachers.

Most of WCTA's political contributions are regular contributions to Washington County Democratic Central Committee. However, one contribution in particular stands out - a 2010 donation to a Board of Education candidate.

A review of  2010 campaign finance reports shows that the WCTA donated $430.00 to Karen Harshman's campaign on November 15, 2010 - almost two weeks after Harshman secured a seat in the Washington County Board of Education in the 2010 General Elections.

Harshman is an incumbent in this year's Board of Education elections.

This contribution gave Harshman a total sum of $484.30 in her campaign account after the general elections were concluded. Additionally, this $430.00 contribution was not only the largest contribution Harshman received, but was also the largest political contribution on record ever made by WCTA.

Several days later on November 21, Harshman received a check from her campaign for the entire $484.30 to cover "Printing and Campaign Materials".

This raises several questions.
1) Why did WCTA donate to a candidate after the general election?
2) What exactly did Harshman spend the $484.30 on, and why did she purchase printing and campaign materials after she had already won the election?

WashCo Chronicle would like to encourage WCTA and Board of Education member Harshman to come forward publicly with answers to these questions.

Full campaign finance reports can be accessed by the public at Maryland's State Board of Elections website.

Article by Ken Buckler, Editor

UPDATE: Press Conference Criticizing Hogan not Authorized by WCPS or City of Hagerstown

HAGERSTOWN, MD - As reported by the Herald-Mail, on Monday October 13, Hagerstown Mayor Gysberts as well as Delegate John Donoghue and a representative from the Washington County Teachers Association held a press conference at the site of the future West City Elementary School, which is owned by Washington County Public Schools. This press conference criticized Maryland Governor candidate Larry Hogan, claiming that his savings plan would result in $450 million in school construction funds being cut.

In order to help determine if this press conference was paid for with tax dollars or a political action committee, WashCo Chronicle filed a Maryland Public Information Act request with Washington County Public Schools, requesting a copy of the completed Application for Use of Facilities.

In response to this request, WCPS provided the following:

Mr. Buckler,

In response to your request, there is no “Application for Use of Facilities” on file for the event referenced in your e-mail below.  Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.

Regards,

Richard Wright

Richard Wright, APR  |  Communications Officer

When asked for clarification if the usage of the property was not authorized, the following statement was provided by Richard Wright, communications officer for WCPS

"That is correct. We did not receive any requests for the use of the space."

According to the WCPS website, requests for usage of school facilities should be made two weeks prior to the activity date. Non-school groups wishing to use school facilities must present proof of liability insurance, and if applicable, workers compensation insurance. Regulations state that no signs, banners, or the like are to be placed without authorization by the school system. Additionally, "political signage" shall not be placed on or displayed on school property until after 5:00 am on election day.

Washington County Public Schools also has established a fee schedule for various group categories. Fees will vary based upon facilities used and the length of time of the activity. Since no Application for Use of Facilities exists, and the usage of the property was not authorized by WCPS, no fee was likely paid for usage of the property during the press conference.

Update 1:
On October 27, 2014, Erin Wolfe from the City of Hagerstown provided the following statement to WashCo Chronicle:

The press conference was not hosted by the City of Hagerstown nor did the City of Hagerstown pay any costs associated with it.

Given that this was not a City function, your other question should be directed to the individuals or organization associated with the event.

My apologies for the delay in the response.

Erin Wolfe

Communications Manager

This leaves the question - who did host this press conference, and who paid for any costs involved?


Article by Ken Buckler, Editor