Help leaders make decisions on deputy, teacher pay
Published June 4, 2004
Like the blossoming of crepe myrtles and higher electricity bills, the onset of summer is marked by the Hernando County School Board and the classroom teachers union engaging in a tug of war about pay raises. The negotiations have been mostly amenable, so far, but the back-and-forth is likely to continue at least through the end of this month.
But there's a new kid on the collective bargaining block this year.
The Hernando County Sheriff's Office is in negotiations with the Fraternal Order of Police, which is the union deputies voted earlier this year to represent them in their bid to obtain, among other things, better pay and benefits. Those talks are civil, too, although it appears the two sides remain further apart. Perhaps that is because, unlike the teachers and School Board, the FOP and the sheriff have less history and greater expectations.
All sides in these two contract talks probably will have to make concessions. That is the inherent nature of collective bargaining. But both unions have done a good job of defining the core argument. Their base pay is less than neighboring counties, and the School Board and the Sheriff's Office both need to address that disparity if they wish to remain competitive in hiring qualified professionals.
But how much should the administrations concede? Should they place a higher priority on employee salaries than on other spending needs?
Achieving that balance is not easy, but Hernando County residents can help their elected officials weigh the pros and cons.
Now, during labor negotiations, is the time for residents to express their opinions about how to compensate two of the most crucial professions in our society. There is no better time than during contract talks to tell your elected representatives the worth you place on education and public safety.
Even if you believe teachers and law enforcement officers are overpaid, you owe it to yourself to share your opinion.
Elected officials, in most instances, try to make their decisions based on the wishes of their constituents. When faced with difficult choices, such as how to spend a limited amount of money to reward valued employees, they tend to rely on that feedback to justify their decisions.
So, if you believe teachers deserve a hefty pay raise or a restructuring of their benefits, call or write the School Board and say so. (Hernando County School Board, 919 N Broad St., Brooksville FL 34601. Telephone 797-7000. Fax: 797-7101. Members are Gail David, John Druzbick, Sandra Nicholson, James Malcolm and Robert Wiggins.)
If you believe deputies are underpaid, or that the available money should be spent in other ways, let Sheriff Richard Nugent know. Sheriff's Office, 18900 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34601. Telephone 754-6830. E-mail: rnugent@hcso.hernando.fl.us)
The money they are spending came from your pocket. You have every right to try to persuade your elected officials to disburse it the way you want.
But, please, don't wait until the negotiations are complete and then complain about how the administration gave away the farm, or what a rotten deal the unions received. It will be too late to make a difference.
