ACPS reaches tentative agreement with employees’ union on salaries
Press release from Alachua County Public Schools
ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – Alachua County Public Schools has reached a tentative agreement with the union representing teachers and most of the district’s other employees on salaries for the 2024-25 school year.
The district’s negotiating team and the Alachua County Education Association (ACEA) tentatively agreed to add another 1.6% salary increase to the average 1% pay raise almost all employees received at the beginning of the school year, bringing the total salary increase for the school year to 2.6%
Under the tentative agreement, the additional 1.6% would be retroactive to July 1, 2024 or to the day an employee began working this school year.
The agreement still has to be ratified by employees, then approved by the School Board. The district is hoping to place the new salary schedule on the School Board meeting agenda for January 21 if the employee vote is completed in time. If approved on that date, the district plans to have both the raise and the retroactive salaries included in employees’ first paychecks in February.
“I appreciate the efforts of the Alachua County Education Association and the district’s bargaining team to reach this tentative agreement,” said Superintendent Dr. Kamela Patton. “I know it was a challenge with all the financial pressures on our district on this year, but I’m glad the negotiators were able to get this done for our hard-working employees.”
Whoopee, YAY Alachua County !
Something is better than nothing.
I guess 1.5% is commensurate with the Board’s appreciation for it’s employees although it does fall a bit below the rate of inflation.
Speaking of being below. What was the pay increase for the “outgoing” superintendent? How about the increase over his salary for the new temporary superintendent?
That’s something to consider this Christmas, especially when certain government entities are giving away your money to people who don’t do much in the way of contributing much.
The interim super is making 22,000 a month and employees are getting nothing. Can’t even cover the cost of living increase. Way to attract teachers, Alachua!
Up until yesterday, the board was adamant there was no money for raises beyond the original 1%, and they were adamant that the raise would not be retroactive. Tina Certain has said repeatedly that the district could not afford the raise. Apparently, the board members have been lying. Why would the union ever believe them again. I’m not opposed to the raise if there is enough money, but I don’t like lying.
ACPS has been offering 1.6% on top of the 1% step increase since July: https://alachuachronicle.com/school-board-votes-down-proposal-that-would-have-made-50-the-minimum-score-for-assignments-delays-student-code-of-conduct-changes-to-august/
‘During the agenda item designated for the teachers’ union, ACEA President Carmen Ward said the negotiations on their next contract are “not great.” She said the SBAC team had threatened to “go to impasse” if the union did not “move off of [their] stronghold… around early release Wednesdays.” She also said the proposed raise is 1.6%, and “we definitely did not think that was acceptable.” She said the union offered a compromise of a monthly early release Wednesday, but the SBAC team stayed at 1.6% and “continued to behave as if we were at an impasse and did not negotiate in good faith.” She said the union is asking for a 3.4% raise.’
The board absolutely has been saying all along no retroactive pay. Then they turn around and do it. Why would anyone believe anything they say.
There was no money for raises but they can afford $22k a month for an interim? It’s horse manure. They always seem to find money for what they want
Agree 100% on the eye popping $22K/month for an “Interim Super” who will do nothing but collect her paycheck and bid SBAC adieu! Sure can’t blame this stupidity on voters! Oh wait, yes you can! Who elected these idiots on the SBAC?
I would like to think no one appreciates lying. We’ll see in the very near future if they’re a bunch of liars or not.
I would like to think no one appreciates lying.
We’ll see in the very near future if they’re a bunch of liars or not.
Same old song and dance between the union and the board. Both are totally useless
This is exactly was was originally offered by the district at the start of all this. Not really sure where the bargaining came in.
No salary increases unless we get higher overall test scores…not for bussing smart kids to lower achieving
Schools. Only raise I get are property tax increases…