Volusia County School District declares impasse with teachers union over negotiations

The Volusia County School District has declared an impasse with the Volusia United Educators (VUE) union regarding salaries and benefits for instructional and support personnel.

Wednesday's announcement comes after the two parties were unable to reach an agreement following five instructional bargaining sessions and three support sessions since early November. The decision now rests in the school board's hands.

"The district’s bargaining team is committed to finding a solution that is the most equitable for our teachers and staff while maintaining the financial stability of the staff," the district stated in a press release. "As we move forward, it is our sincere hope that we can work together professionally to make the best decisions possible for those who impact our students every day."

Learn about Project SEARCH:Volusia, Flagler students with disabilities pursue passions, careers through work program

Repairs coming:Port Orange Elementary to undergo $2.3M in repairs to address 'emergency' water intrusion

Cultural exchange program:Volusia school board considers hiring international teachers to address critical shortages

VCS wrote that the union has not accepted its proposals and stated that unless the total amount of $14.7 million offered to both units is increased, VUE will not agree to a resolution.

"This recurring expense is not sustainable and would have significant and material long-term effects for all Volusia County Schools stakeholders," VCS stated, adding that the impasse will prevent further delays from negatively impacting employees and bring a resolution "in a timely fashion" to ensure raises and retroactive payment before the next negotiation cycle.

The school board will make the final decision after reviewing the parties' positions during a hearing with a special magistrate.

What are they bargaining for?

The district detailed that VCS and VUE had formed a salary committee to prioritize how funds would be spent, noting that salary compression — the issue of mid-year and veteran employees having a small difference in pay from new staff — was the largest concern.

Among other items, the committee recommended supplements for teachers with advanced degrees — which the parties have agreed to — as well as retention supplements for teachers and stipends for Exceptional Student Education instructional staff who teach students with disabilities.

While the district stated that its proposal addressed all of the recommendations, they've been at a standstill with VUE on the money allocated for the last two supplements.

According to an update provided by VUE on the Jan. 3 instructional bargaining session, the union proposed a retention supplement of $80 for each year of service for instructors in years 10-19; $100 for 20-24 years; and $200 with a $6,000 cap for 25 or more years.

The district countered with respective amounts of $45, $65 and $150 for each year of service.

VUE is also pushing for a $1,000 supplement for all ESE personnel, to which VCS has offered $250.

Educators union responds to impasse

In a video response posted on VUE's Facebook Wednesday afternoon, President Elizabeth Albert said the impasse declaration was "out of the blue." She pushed back against the district claiming the impasse was to ensure raises and payments happened quickly, saying that if the salary committee the union proposed in the last round of negotiations unfolded properly, "you'd have had some money in your pocket."

In a response letter sent to the district, VUE requested a conversation about securing a mediator to assist in resolving the impasse.

VUE also questioned the district's explanation of Florida laws regarding impasse. Contrary to the district stating neither party could talk to the school board during impasse, the union stated that either party has the ability to accept or reject the magistrate's ruling, which would then go to the school board for consideration, and that only at that time the parties cannot talk to the board members.

"Feel free to reach out to the school board members and share with them your disappointment in this decision," Albert told members. "Please let them know that you work harder every day because your colleagues are leaving. Please let them know that in a time of a critical shortage of educational professionals, teachers and staff, this isn't what any of us need."

Albert and the union have contended that the district overspends on administrative salaries and underspends on instructional salaries. She told members they will continue fighting for them.

"The arbitrary and isolated decisions articulated in the press release sent to all staff are indicative of the districts (sic) repeated history of working outside of the collaborative process," VUE's letter stated. "It is clear why we are at impasse as this is another demonstration of the districts (sic) failure to work with those who serve our students and our community."

Contact reporter Danielle Johnson at djohnson@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Volusia County Schools, teachers union at impasse over negotiations