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Timing crucial in teacher pay vote

Determination, flat insurance costs and money from the state Legislature helped negotiators get an early start on a successful 7.75 percent raise proposal.

By TOM MARSHALL
Published August 6, 2006

BROOKSVILLE - What a difference a year makes.

In August 2005, school district and teachers union negotiators weren't even close to wrapping up an agreement on a new contract. It would be late November before the two sides came to an accord, and raises didn't come for teachers until January, said Joe Vitalo, treasurer of the Hernando Classroom Teachers Association.

This time around, negotiators on both sides said they were determined to avoid that outcome.

The result: verbal agreement Monday on an average pay increase of 7.75 percent for teachers and staff - more than a week before the start of classes - has the two sides offering something rare in the world of labor negotiations. Praise.

"We now have a team of individuals, both from the union and administration, that has worked together for two solid years," said Barbara Kidder, director of labor relations and professional standards for the Hernando County School Board. "This year was a pretty good year for everyone."

Of course, money from the Florida Legislature helped - a $2.1-billion injection into the state's school financing fund. That brought $23.6-million in "new money" to the district, of which $16.4-million went into hiring, pay raises or other forms of compensation, said finance director Deborah Bruggink.

Health insurance costs have remained miraculously flat, Bruggink said. And funds have been set aside in case the district's enrollment projections come in low.

There is also less uncertainty on the question of meeting state class-size mandates. Last year, the district thought it might get penalized for failing to meet those constitutional limits, said School Board Chairman Jim Malcolm.

Uncertainty over enrollment was one of the factors last year that led the teachers union to reject an early salary offer, Vitalo said.

"Last year we went into impasse because we felt there would be more money, and it did not materialize," he said.

This time, negotiators on both sides were mindful of the need to establish a salary scale at the beginning of the school year. With an offer on the table before school began, Vitalo said, the union leadership decided to go to its membership for an early vote.

"It's putting it out there and letting them decide: Is this what you want or is this not what you want?" he added. "If they're not happy with it, they have the right to vote no."

Kristen Cameron, a third-grade teacher at Suncoast Elementary School, said Friday she's happy with the raise, even though salaries still aren't as high as in neighboring counties.

"We were saying it's better than nothing, but what did Hillsborough get?" she said, recalling a conversation she had with colleagues.

"It goes to the kids; that's what matters," Cameron added. "I didn't go into teaching for the money."

With the raises, a beginning teacher in Hernando County will likely earn $32,000, up $1,800 from last year. New teachers in Pinellas County will earn $36,000, while rookies in Pasco and Hillsborough counties will get more than $35,000.

The two sides plan to meet again Monday, ahead of the start of classes on Thursday, to iron out final details.

The Hernando United School Workers union has already signed a tentative agreement and will vote on a new contract, at the same average pay increase of 7.75 percent, between Aug. 21 and 26, Kidder said.

With luck, she said, all union votes can be wrapped up in time for the Sept. 5 School Board meeting, so pay raises can be included in the Sept. 25 paychecks.

Tom Marshall can be reached at tmarshall@sptimes.com or 352 848-1431.

[Last modified August 5, 2006, 20:55:07]