Flat-dollar raise compounds discriminatory law: SAVE THE DATE JAN. 18TH

Our school board is currently demanding a flat dollar raise for all teachers.

This would double the discriminatory effect of a law that already favors only some teachers, by favoring younger employees over older ones in both the percentages and the dollars. We believe that law, and the Board’s proposed flat-dollar raise, are discriminatory.

We are presently consulting with lawyers who specialize in age discrimination to look at filing an action against the state and/or school board. If that wasn’t bad enough, we learned the Board is using the same labor attorney as a consultant whom former superintendent Todd Bowden used when he tried to strip you of all your contractual rights — including your planning time — several years ago.

That didn’t seem to work too well for them last time.

Save the Date: Please save the date of Jan. 18. That’s when we plan to mass picket the School Board meeting. The meeting starts at 6 p.m., so people can start arriving at 4. The school board office is located at 1950 Landings Boulevard, right on US 41 just south of Proctor Road in Sarasota.

Please pick up some poster board so you can make your own signs. There are fast food restaurants within walking distance, and we will provide some sign-making materials.

When we picketed several years ago it was very effective, and people had a good time. It was great for building a sense of solidarity among the staff. Members had a chance to reunite with one another and see people they had not seen for years.

Have a great vacation! 

(top photo shows the community picketing in support of teachers in 2018)