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Hernando Today

Candidates Weigh In On Teacher Raises

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By LINNEA BROWN

Published: June 26, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - With three candidates vying for the school board seat currently held by longtime board member and vice chairman Jim Malcolm, they had plenty to say about local teachers' recent request for a 5.5 percent raise.

Monday, the Hernando Classroom Teachers' Association asked the district for 5.5 percent pay increases for the 2008-09 school year, just like the one already awarded to Superintendent Wayne Alexander.

But Hernando County School District officials said that given the state's current economic situation, they could only afford to give teachers the expected "step increase," based on seniority, that would give teachers an average of 1.14 percent.

Spring Hill resident Rob Neuhausen, an engineer, said he supports the teacher's request, particularly given the school board's past track record of giving all groups the same percentage pay raise.

"It's an extremely valid request, based on the superintendent doing what he did," he said. "I saw that coming. They're justified in asking for it."

Neuhausen suggested that Alexander reverse his request for a 5.5 percent raise, or give back the money.

"Then we could let teachers know that if we can get a budget request in for next year, they might be able to get raises," he said.

A former educator, Spring Hill resident and insurance agent James Yant also said he feels the raise request would be well-deserved.

"Teachers are underpaid," he said. "I agree with their request 100 percent, and I don't think they're asking for anything new. The (need) has been there all along, and it probably should be more than (what they requested)."

Yant said he believes the board should be looking for other ways to cut operating costs and eliminate waste in the district, which would free up additional space in the budget for salaries.

But Spring Hill resident Gene Magrini, a human resources consultant, took a more cautious approach.

While he said he would support their request, he said he would like to see financial data about projected state budget shortfalls before deciding what's doable.

"I believe we should do everything in our power to try to work with the HCTA, but work within the means that we have," Magrini said.

Neuhausen also agreed when it comes down to it, the money may not be there.

"I would love to be positive and say they could get a 5.5 percent raise, but right now we're looking at a shortfall of millions of dollars," he said. "We don't have the money, unfortunately."

District officials have said they would like to wait until the state releases its per-pupil funding numbers in October before they make any decisions concerning teacher raises.

The average teacher salary in Hernando County is $40,000. With a 5.5 percent raise, teachers would receive an average of $2,200 more. With the district's proposed 1.14 percent, teachers would get $440 each, with nothing for teachers who have been with the district for 26 years or more.

New teachers in Hernando County currently make $34,000 per year. But teachers in surrounding counties make more, such as in Pasco County, where teachers start at nearly $38,000.

The school board members weighed in on the raise request in a story that ran in Wednesday's edition of Hernando Today. Malcolm and John Sweeney both said the teachers had every right to request 5.5 percent, Nicholson called it "asking for the moon" and board members Pat Fagan and Dianne Bonfield said they'd like to wait and see what state budget cuts bring before solidifying their thoughts on the issue.

After 16 years with the board, Malcolm's seat will be open because he is retiring.

The seat currently held by school board member Pat Fagan is also up for reelection, but he is running unopposed.

The next negotiating session is set for July 24.

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

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