Despite pressure from the United School Employee of Pasco, including dozens of e-mails to board members, the Pasco School Board unanimously approved bonuses for all district administrators and other nonnegotiating employees late Tuesday.

The bonuses at one time were to be more than $900 — higher than the supplements that teachers and school-related personnel stand to receive if they approve their proposed contract. (The board approved the contract Tuesday, and USEP members are to vote Thursday.)

But superintendent Heather Fiorentino said she limited the amounts to the maximum levels that teachers and SRPs can get, funneling thousands of dollars into the SRP supplement package. SRPs are the lowest-paid employees in the district.

Board members said they were surprised by the opposition to administrator bonuses, noting that administrative raises have been lower than all others in the past several years. They added that the administrators work effectively and efficiently — the district has the leanest administration among its Florida peers — and concluded they deserve the extra pay.

Last year, no Pasco employees received a raise or bonus.

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