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Hernando Today

Teachers To See Money Soon

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By LINNEA BROWN, Hernando Today

Published: December 17, 2007

BROOKSVILLE - Teachers turned out in record numbers Friday to vote on a new contract that will close the salary gap between Hernando County and surrounding districts.

With all of the district's 21 schools reporting, 97 percent of voting members of the Hernando Classroom Teachers' Association union approved a 6.04 percent raise, plus coverage of a 1 percent increase in health-care premiums.

"This was one of our largest voting turnouts we've ever had, and the most lopsided vote we've ever had on a contract," union president Joe Vitalo said. "More than 1,320 people voted. People are very happy, and we greatly appreciate (the fact that) the board is making us a priority."

One key item that allowed teachers to have a higher settlement than previously laid out was the addition of an extra teacher workday, added to this year's post-school days.

The new contract focuses on making average salaries for teachers in Hernando County more competitive with that of teachers in Citrus, Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties, where salaries are considerably higher.

With the 6.04 percent agreement, a beginning teacher in Hernando County will make $34,000, up from last year's starting salary of $32,000.

This compares with new starting salaries of $33,858 in Citrus, $36,420 in Pasco, $36,232 in Sumter, $37,300 in Pinellas and $37,014 in Pasco.

"For once, we're closing the gap with surrounding areas, and for once, the board is making an effort. We're pleased with that," Vitalo said.

And longevity counts, with the new contract set up to reward teachers who remain in the district by their number of consecutive years of employment.

"It's a way to respect people for 'sticking it out,'" Vitalo said.

The decision was reached Dec. 5 after months of wrangling between the union and district. While union representatives had initially pushed to get teachers their long-overdue pay raises before Christmas, the process slowed in late November when a "philosophical difference" between the union and district prevented talks from progressing.

The district's calculations were based on percentages and projections for the estimated salaries of 1,837 employees, taken in April. Meanwhile, the union's calculations were numeric, based on the district's more current 1,775 employees, taken in October.

Next year's proposed contract will focus on collapsing the "steps" for teachers to reach the top of the salary schedule, or steps necessary for young teachers to make money faster in their careers, Vitalo said.

The new contract is expected to ratified by the school board in coming weeks, with money going into teachers' paychecks in January.

The Hernando United School Workers union is still negotiating with the district on a contract for nonteaching staff.

Reporter Linnea Brown can be reached at 352-544-5289 or lbrown@hernandotoday.com.

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