Let Teachers Have The Money, Union Prez Says

The money is better off in the hands of teachers rather than sitting at a bank.

That is the opinion of the local teacher's union president, who was satisfied with the Hernando County School Board's unanimous approval Tuesday of a 2.39 percent average pay increase and 1.5 percent more for health coverage.

"This board has a long-term commitment to improve the salaries for teachers in this county," said Joe Vitalo, president of the Hernando Classroom Teacher's Union. "For years this has been seen as a training ground for up-and-coming teachers and then they leave ... Now they are being valued."

The economic future is bleak in Hernando County. The board believed if there was a time to reward teachers and provide a financial incentive to stay, now would be the best time. That means the board became one of the few throughout Florida to approve such a pay raise, said Superintendent Wayne Alexander.

"The money needs to be out in the hands of the people," said Vitalo, who was out of town and spoke over the phone Friday morning. "It doesn't help if it's sitting in a bank someplace. Banks aren't all that solvent right now, so if the money is going to disappear, it might as well disappear in the hands of the (people) rather than in a bank vault."

Heading into negotiations, the union had hoped for a 5.5 percent increase like Alexander received earlier this year. The superintendent's initial request was for 14 percent. Teachers also relented and agreed to a more modest increase because of the current economic climate, Vitalo said.

The 2.39 percent increase translates to a $2.1 million cost for the district.

The district's unallocated reserve fund will be whittled down to 1.2 percent of the overall budget. The state recommends at least 3 percent.