tentative settlement reached by Sarasota Classified/Teachers Association

Tentative settlement means raises likely before winter break

The two sides reached agreement on a salary settlement for this year’s contract. The settlement will assure that Sarasota County teachers remain the highest paid in the State of Florida, as well as keeping up with inflation (3.2% this year).

The proposed settlement calls for a 2% one-time supplement to be paid prior to the winter break for all teachers and classified staff, followed by a retroactive 4.25% raise for teachers who are on the Performance Salary Schedule and rated as highly effective, and 3.5% for all other teachers.

Barry Dubin, executive director of the Sarasota Classified/Teachers Association — *Author Barry Dubin is executive director of the Sarasota Classified/Teachers Association.*

Classified employees (non-instructional) will receive a 4.0% salary increase. This is in addition to the 0.5% all employees received at the beginning of the school year, bringing the total recurring increases to 4.75%, 4% and 4.5% respectively. The 2% one-time supplemental increase, which will be fully pensionable, is over and above the above-mentioned raises.

In addition, all teachers will be given the opportunity to work up to 15 hours outside their normal duty day on approved professional development activities at their normal hourly rate of pay.

The minimum teachers’ salary in the county will increase to $55,000 for a teacher with a bachelor’s degree, and $60,000 for a teacher with a master’s degree.

Including the increases that the district absorbed in increased health insurance premiums and mandatory retirement contributions, the total package exceeds $37 million.

This was our first time bargaining with the new superintendent, Terry Connor, and it was handled very professionally. The two teams worked cooperatively, towards the good of our school district. It reminded me of times long past.

Discussions will continue in areas of mutual concern throughout the coming several weeks. It is our goal to get the 2% supplement money to you before the winter recess, and the retroactive money and raise sometime in January. We hope ratification of the proposed packages will occur before the winter recess and will be held at the work sites as in the past.

As always, it is a pleasure to work for you. I hope this proposed settlement helps you enjoy the holiday season with your family and loved ones.