8% increase for over 13,000 teachers moving to an 8-hour day!

The CTA and district bargaining teams have reached agreement on a proposed salary settlement for school year 07/08.  Employees and the School Board must ratify the agreement through the normal ratification procedures, which includes a secret ballot vote.

A big thank you to those teachers and ESP who gave up many days of their summer break to serve on the bargaining team.  They are:

Carol Austin - Tomlin Middle School
Crystal Blanco, ESP - Roosevelt Elementary School  
Tom Boyle - Adult and Community Ed Center
Marilyn Dupree, ESP - Lavoy Exceptional Center
Mary Grace Farina, Riverview High School
Elaine Fess - Tampa Bay Blvd. Elementary School
Kim Henriquez - Lowry Elementary
John Streater - Robinson High School
Also serving on the team were Jean Clements, CTA President and
Yvonne Lyons, Chief Negotiator  
 
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SETTLEMENT

A.  For teachers whose contractual year has been decreased by 2 days, the salary for those days has been included in the hourly rate for 199 days. (no loss in pay for fewer days worked)

B.  Teachers moving to an 8-hour day will be paid  their regular hourly rate for the additional time worked.  The increase will amount to a little over 4%, about 4.3%, but probably will be reported in area media outlets as a straight 4%.

C.  Teachers who are eligible for a Level increase will be moved to the next Level for a 2% increase. ( does not apply to  teachers who are already on Level 27 or are beginning their first year of teaching on Level 1; see E below)

D.  In addition, all salary levels will be increased by 2%. (affects everyone)

E.  Teachers currently at the top of the schedule who do not receive a Level increase will receive a bonus of $1,000 to be paid before winter break.

F.  There will be a correction to the middle of the teacher salary schedule as a result of changes that occurred when the "Level" salary schedule was developed.  Those teachers currently on Levels 7-14 will be paid an additional 2% in annual salary until the correction is complete. This will be accomplished by moving them up an additional Level annually until the correction is complete.  For those currently on Levels 7 and 14, the correction will take 2 years.  For those currently on Levels 8, 9, 10, and 11, the correction will take 4 years. There aren't any teachers currently on 12 or 13.

G.  Most athletic supplements in the high schools will increase to a tri-county average (Pinellas, Pasco and Polk).  Those that are already above the average will remain above average.  Tennis and golf will increase from $687 to $1000.  In addition to the increase in supplement, a longevity supplement of 10% will be paid at year 7 and an additional 10% at year 15 for those coaches who stay in the same sport . Service must be continuous to qualify for the longevity bonus.

H.  ESE and Elementary Team Leader Supplements will increase from $500 to  $757.77.

I.  Middle School Team Leader Supplements will increase from $757.77 to $1000.

J.  The Yearbook Sponsor Supplement will increase from $1,288.41 to $1800.

K.  The District agrees to pay the increased cost in health insurance for employees and will continue to pay the fingerprinting cost for current employees.

I.  The district agrees to pay the increased cost in health insurance for employees and will continue to pay the fingerprinting cost for current employees.

I.  Middle School Team Leaders Supplements will increase from $757.77 to $1000.

J.  The Yearbook Sponsor Supplement will increase from $1,288.41 to $1800.00.