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Teachers union announces results of door knocking campaign

Dominique Maria Bonessi

The Baltimore Teacher's Union President, Marietta English, presented the almost final numbers of the efforts to enroll or re-enroll students Monday.

Two-months ago the Baltimore Teacher's Union and Baltimore City Schools began a door knocking campaign to enroll or re-enroll 1000 students. Efforts came as the school system faced a loss of 1000 students between the 2016 to 2017 school year and the $130 million budget deficit. 

English said that so far out of the 34,106 doors knocked on, teachers had conversations with 6,200 residents. 

"And have enrolled 329 Pre-K students into Baltimore City Public Schools," said English in a press conference adding that that  increased Pre-K enrollment translated into $2.1 million more in funds for BCPS.  "And they have re-engaged 17 students who dropped out."

That doesn't include transfers and new enrollments outside of Pre-K. Total doors knocked on also does not count the number of vacant houses teachers were led to by a city campaign database. English said she had no knowledge of vacant homes being targeted.

"Oh, I don't know why Baltimore city would say that," said English. "That I didn't hear."

Teachers union spokespeople did say that the door knocking response rate was 20 percent that is three percentage points higher than average mayoral campaigns. Also, English added that in conversations with residents 64 percent noted positive experiences with the schools. 

Teacher union representatives will be out in force knocking on doors for three more days this week till the final results of enrollment are in.

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