News Summary
As the new school year starts, many Baltimore arts educators are still waiting for payments for contracts from the previous year. This delay, affecting thousands of dollars owed, has led to financial struggles for educators and raised concerns about the sustainability of arts programs in the region. The Leaders of Tomorrow Youth Center (LTYC) faces its own financial difficulties due to late payments from school districts, impacting the educators’ livelihoods. As investigations continue, the city’s schools have extended funding to LTYC, but uncertainty remains for those affected.
Baltimore Arts Educators Demand Payment Amid Ongoing Delays
As the new school year commences, several Baltimore educators are still awaiting payment for their contracted work from the previous academic year, prompting significant concern among arts educators in the region. Many claim they are owed thousands of dollars for services rendered through the Leaders of Tomorrow Youth Center (LTYC), which contracts teachers to deliver arts education in Baltimore City and Baltimore County.
Financial Impact on Educators
Some educators, including Jermaine Melvin, a dance instructor, report being owed substantial sums, with Melvin citing a debt of $9,000. The delayed payments have forced many educators into dire financial straits, leading to struggles with paying their bills and the looming threat of eviction. The situation has sparked considerable distress as educators express their frustration over not receiving timely compensation.
LTYC’s Financial Challenges
The LTYC, which plays a crucial role in providing arts education funded by local school systems, is facing its own financial difficulties. Dr. Dermell Brunson, the founder of LTYC, acknowledged that the past year has presented challenges due to late payments from school districts and issues typically encountered by nonprofit organizations. While some back pay for contract teachers has been partially disbursed—covering payments through April—many educators report being still unpaid for work completed in May and June.
Current Invoicing and Payment Status
Recent communications from LTYC have informed educators that they cannot catch up on outstanding invoices due to delays in payments from several partner organizations. According to Dr. Brunson, the instructors are classified as independent contractors, meaning they were aware of the potential for payment delays. Investigations are currently underway by the state education inspector general to address the payment issues related to LTYC.
Contracts and Funding Extensions
In response to the ongoing payment issues, Baltimore City schools have extended their contract with LTYC and increased funding to a total of $7.5 million through June 2026. As of now, the city has reported disbursing over $605,000 to LTYC, with an outstanding balance of $31,266 still owed due to compliance issues with procurement procedures. Both Baltimore County Public Schools and Anne Arundel County Public Schools have confirmed that they have made full payments of their invoices to LTYC.
Future Prospects for Educators
Dr. Brunson has indicated that payments to educators will be processed once LTYC receives the necessary funds from its partner organizations. In the meantime, some educators have turned to crowdfunding campaigns in efforts to mitigate their financial hardships amid this payment crisis. Despite efforts from LTYC to address the situation, many educators feel abandoned and express a dwindling trust in the organization regarding future agreements.
Background Context
LTYC has acknowledged owing approximately $350,000 collectively to its educators from various districts for services rendered. This ongoing financial struggle has not only affected the livelihood of the educators but has raised concerns about the sustainability of arts education programs in Baltimore. As the situation continues to evolve, the educators remain hopeful for resolution while grappling with the uncertainty of their financial futures.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Educators in Baltimore Face Payment Delays from LTYC
Baltimore Educators Demand Payment from Leaders of Tomorrow Youth Center
Additional Resources
- CBS News: Baltimore Educators and Maryland Tomorrow Youth Center
- Wikipedia: Education in Baltimore
- CBS News: Maryland Teachers Payment Delays
- Google Search: Baltimore education funding
- WMAR2 News: Maryland Arts Teachers Owed Backpay
- Google Scholar: Baltimore education nonprofits
- CBS News: Leaders of Tomorrow Youth Center
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Baltimore education
Author: STAFF HERE BALTIMORE WRITER
BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER The BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBaltimore.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Baltimore, Baltimore County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Baltimore Book Festival, Preakness Stakes, and Artscape. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce and Visit Baltimore, plus leading businesses in shipping and healthcare that power the local economy such as the Port of Baltimore and Johns Hopkins Medicine. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Maryland's dynamic landscape.
