"Some people say the association brought down John O'Rourke," Staub said. "I think we had a role in the board's decision to replace John O'Rourke in the extent our survey clearly showed a lack of confidence in his leadership."
The biggest disappointment of Staub's tenure, he said, was the union's unsuccessful attempts to charge nonmembers an "agency fee," or a percentage of annual dues, for negotiating and enforcing the contract.
Depending on salary and status, annual dues for teachers range from $300 to $487 over 20 paychecks; for support personnel, $120 to $370 annually. (Dues also benefit the union's state and national affiliates.)
Legislation granting the union the right to bargain for the agency fee in Howard County failed in the General Assembly, most recently this year.
Through it all, Staub said, his job has been a privilege.
"When your peers elect you to be their spokesperson and representative, that says a lot about their confidence in your leadership," he said.
Joseph R. Staub Jr.
Age: 55
Experience:
Social studies teacher, Mount Hebron High School, 1972-1973
Oakland Mills High School, 1973-1978; 1981-1987; 1988-1994
Curriculum specialist, Maryland State Department of Education, 1978-1981
Staff development, Howard County public schools, 1994-1995
Howard High School, 1995-1996
Long Reach High School, 1996-1999
President, Howard County Education Association, 1999-2005Education:
Bachelor's degree in history from Carnegie-Mellon University
Master's degree in business administration from University of Maryland
Master's degree in education from Johns Hopkins University
