Brevard Public Schools, teachers' union reach contract deal for largest raise in 6 years
After months of negotiations, Brevard Public Schools has reached a tentative contract with the Brevard Federation of Teachers that would give teachers their largest raise in six years.
The deal includes a 4.2% raise and increases the minimum pay for teachers from $46,800 to $48,725, though many teachers will see substantial increases to their health insurance costs.
In a statement to members, union leaders wrote that negotiations were made more difficult due to state statutes governing teacher pay.
"While inflation rages, we understand that no raise will seem satisfactory; however, outside of the Governor’s effort to raise the minimum salary, the deal we reached today is the largest recurring raise we’ve seen in 6 years," BFT wrote.
Teachers will receive a tiered salary adjustment according to their experience at BPS. Teachers with 6-13 years experience will receive $850 more per year. Teachers with 14 or more years of experience will receive $1,250 per year. Additionally, teachers rated effective or highly effective will receive $1,050 or $1,400 depending on their rating.
Teachers at several priority schools will receive a $2,000 or $3,000 bonus, and teachers who agree to teach at the Gardendale Separate Day School, an alternative learning school in Merritt Island, will receive $5,000.
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The union initially pushed for teachers at all schools to receive the bonuses, but the district held firm.
Under an additional agreement signed in May, all teachers also will be eligible for installments of bonus payments spread throughout the year. Teachers could receive between $3,400 and $4,400 depending on how long they have worked for the district.
Employees on the health plan will see an increase of $46.31 per year for a single employee on the lowest plan. Plans including spouses will increase at least $900 per year.
All teachers will receive a prepaid $300 health savings account card to help defray the costs.
Parental leave will increase from seven to 10 days, teachers will be paid $45 each time they cover a class and the district will now allow each teacher to use 40 hours of comp time during the student day.
The union must ratify the contract and the School Board must vote to approve it before it can take effect.
Bailey Gallion is the education reporter for FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallion at 321-242-3786 or bgallion@floridatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Brevard school teachers reach deal for largest raise in six years
