Hernando teachers want 5.5% raise like superintendent's

BROOKSVILLE — Teachers and the Hernando County School Board were far apart Monday in their first proposals on a contract for the coming school year.

The school district said it could afford to offer teachers only a seniority-based "step increase" in their current contract, a 1.14 percent average gain, given the troubled economy and uncertainty over how many state-funded students will enroll in August.

But the Hernando Classroom Teachers Association said its members deserved a 5.5 percent increase, just like the one superintendent Wayne Alexander got last month.

"What we hear from our teachers is they really feel they deserve a 5.5 percent increase because the superintendent got it. The board gave it to him," lead negotiator Steve Stora said. "Our proposal was very reasonable. We did not come in asking for 14 percent."

That larger figure, Alexander's opening bid, came as a shock to teachers and board members alike when he made it last April. Board member Jim Malcolm, who voted against any raise, predicted that an early increase for the superintendent would set the tone for salary talks with teachers.

Despite those differences, negotiators on both sides struck a conciliatory tone at Monday's session, talking about contract language and a union proposal to compress the 28 steps in the current salary scale to a more manageable 16.

Union officials said their 5.5 percent proposal could end up costing the district no more money than the $75.9-million it set aside last year for teacher salaries, if an expected enrollment increase of about 340 students fails to materialize.

But district negotiators said the new, compressed salary schedule could bring unexpected costs in future years.

"We have to make sure we can afford the salary schedule each year," said Heather Martin, executive director of business services.

"It will definitely be less than the cost of living," union president Joe Vitalo countered.

Speaking after the meeting, Vitalo acknowledged that it's a tough time for the School Board to fulfill its goal of closing the pay gap between Hernando and neighboring counties.

"We understand it's a tough economy out there right now," he added. "But when you can't take care of your family at home, how effective are you going to be in the classroom?"

Alexander said it was a "reasonable expectation" that the district would see enrollment gains and the extra per-student funding this August. Until those numbers are known, the district won't know exactly how much it has for teacher salaries.

But he said the teachers have the right to ask for as much money as they believe they deserve.

"Just like the superintendent, they have the right to start negotiating wherever they want," Alexander said.

Comments on this article

by Bye Bye Bye	Jun 29, 2008 1:29 PM
So glad I am leaving this county after 20 years of service and don't have to put up with SUP and his dictatorship.Like me,many teachers are looking for better pastures and respect.ByeByeBye HCSB.Keep your nepotism,preferential treatment and Alexander

by fed-up	Jun 25, 2008 7:30 PM
I agree teachers deserve a raise but the teacher below who said they were attending training this summer and not being paid, does that mean you're not going to accept the $16.00 per hour you receive for attending these trainings?

by teacher/parent	Jun 25, 2008 5:29 PM
SO! Dr. A What do YOU think of all these comments from parents and teachers??? You turned this district into a mess. The morale is terrible. WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT??? (maybe leave this district would be a great idea)

by Teacher and parent of 2	Jun 25, 2008 5:22 PM
I think it is really sad how the public views teachers.Maybe they should have to take a walk in our shoes for a day.People call us whiny, you would be too if had gone to school for 4 years + yrs, have a degree and not be able to support your family.

by broken eagle	Jun 25, 2008 5:18 PM
I can't seem to understand how a teachers job is different then any other job out there. Give me a break, your job isn't that hard and your pay is decent if you compare it to other proffessions. We all have problems that affect our jobs.

by george	Jun 25, 2008 5:08 PM
the super should get a decrease of 5 per cent and the teachers need to change jobs if they want more money right now they are lucky if they get any thing other countys are laying off teachers

by stunned	Jun 25, 2008 1:12 PM
If Mr. A wants more money, ask him about all the parents who opted out of the gifted program and lost this county money because they liked the school their kids were in. Over $2,000 per child is now gone. Get the message, they like their school.

by Teacher	Jun 25, 2008 1:12 PM
People who are commenting about the whiny teachers asking for more $ need to realize how much money we put BACK into the schools. Our $ goes to classroom expenses, gas 4 after school events-unpaid, helping students FREE tutoring. Not to mention bills

by Outraged	Jun 25, 2008 1:12 PM
Everyone should look at how skewed the view of the board towards Alexander is by reading their evaluation of him. School board meeting minutes 5/6/08. then let them know your feelings. Help wake them up to his hipocracy.

by Parent/teacher	Jun 25, 2008 1:11 PM
If Dr. A wants money for this county, let the gifted kids stay where they are. They don't want to be gifted if they have to leave their school. Now we lose state $. The parents feel the teachers at their schools are just as good as the gifted school

by Pete	Jun 25, 2008 11:17 AM
Michael how can you say that? People in the private sector with the amount of education that Teachers have are making double the salary figure. That is why they don't get the equivalent raise. Teachers work over the summer as well. Dont kid yourself!

by To Michael	Jun 25, 2008 11:17 AM
We work more than a 1/2 yr. We do a year's worth of work in 10 months.

by Dee	Jun 25, 2008 11:17 AM
We don't get a gas allowance and we drive all over the county for workshops, trainings, and back to school for chaperoning dances and sporting events.

by TEACH	Jun 25, 2008 11:17 AM
In response to Jerry below, we teachers are like the ones of long ago, but we too want to be able to pay our bills, like your teachers did. Have you thought about the rise in the cost of living? I am asure it is taking a toll on you, like all of us.

by Jack	Jun 25, 2008 11:16 AM
it's simple - you want good schools, pay the good teachers. otherwise, they will leave for greener pastures....

by TRACIE	Jun 25, 2008 11:16 AM
WHICH THEY SO DESERVE! THEY ARE THE TRUE LEADERS TO OUR CHILDREN!I MEAN LETS BE REALISTIC THE "SCREWED UP COWARDLY LION" AKA Wayne Alexander got his. To bad it wasnt after graduation. I bet he wouldnt have. THE SHERIFFS DEPT SHOULD HAVE GOT IT!

by concerned	Jun 25, 2008 11:16 AM
To Jerry.. I'm sure you like working for nothing. If you can't pay your bills, how's it enjoyable to teach or work for a living? Get a life Jerry...

by pete	Jun 25, 2008 11:16 AM
Jerry!!! When you went to school??? You were a kid what did you know about teachers satisfaction with their pay? Teachers serve more than Alexander. The school board should thank them for asking for only 5.5% That is a bargain for their caliber!!!

by teacher and parent	Jun 25, 2008 11:16 AM
To "John": For me, it would be $1845, and I have seven years in, so how is it possible a new teacher could get more? Don't worry about my reading and math skills, dear. Check your own.

by Tired Teacher	Jun 25, 2008 11:15 AM
We definitely don't go into the teaching profession for the $$, however when you can't afford to pay the bills, things have to change. I waitress after school during the year & work 2 jobs over the summer. This impacts EVERYTHING including my class.

by Ron	Jun 25, 2008 11:15 AM
Hey Jerry those teachers you refer to can't pay their bills. We pay the same gas prices as you.

by Mike	Jun 25, 2008 11:15 AM
SOME teachers deserve a raise! Why does it have to be across the board, everyone gets a raise? The teachers should be evaluated every year just like everyone else! Some teachers are slugs and couldn't hold any other job!

by debbie	Jun 25, 2008 11:15 AM
We should get the 5.5 increase and NOT increase our contract days like they did this year when they gave us our 'raise'. It's not a raise if you have to work more hours to get the dollar. It's just more hours worked.

by loves the job	Jun 25, 2008 11:15 AM
Jerry: We don't care about our incomes like others do, that's why we work for so little. But you said 'as long as they could pay their bills' we are no longer able to do that with just one job. Now we have to speak up.

by teacher	Jun 25, 2008 11:15 AM
Michael: Lucky teachers aren't in the private sector. I don't know a single teacher who works their contract time. It would be a sad day for children if that's all we worked. The job can't be done in the time given. You are sadly uninformed.

by john	Jun 24, 2008 11:07 AM
To "teacher and parent"...your math and reading skills worries me! A raise of 5.5% is $1870 to a new teacher and is around $2200 to many of us.

by john	Jun 24, 2008 11:04 AM
Student loan/$500..Car payment & ins/$500..Apartment/$750..Utilities(include internet to do school work)/$200..leaves $200 for rising food/gas cost out of a $2150/month paycheck after taxes. I enjoy(LOVE) teaching, but not on an empty stomach!

by Dee	Jun 24, 2008 10:51 AM
Teachers should get 5.5% raise just like Wayne did. He's NO better than us. His 5.5% comes out to be more $$ than our 5.5% Also, teachers should get our contracts BEFORE the school year begins, again, just like Wayne.

by Joanne	Jun 24, 2008 10:36 AM
What's good for the goose is good for the gander!!! Either give the teachers the 5.5% or lower the superintendent's increase to what the teachers will get.

by Chip	Jun 24, 2008 10:29 AM
Alexander's first demand of a 14% raise was both arrogant and outrageous. If the board will not grant an equal raise to teachers as the one given to the superintendent, they are sending a very negative message. Morale issues are a plague.

by Hernando Parent	Jun 24, 2008 10:27 AM
Give the teachers what they deserve. I want them to do the best they can for the students. We gave Alexander a raise and it hasn't helped him to do anything better. Spend the money where it needs to be spent on the teachers not Alexander.

by Jerry	Jun 24, 2008 10:26 AM
When I went to school teachers didn't care much about their income as long as they could pay their bills. They enjoyed teaching young minds. Where are those type of teachers today?

by teacher and parent	Jun 24, 2008 10:22 AM
I really dislike when the paper says "teachers" as opposed to "Association." You make it sound like we are all money-grubbing. Personally, I don't care what the HCTA asks for or gets--five percent is less than eighteen hundred dollars a year anyway.

by Teacher	Jun 24, 2008 10:21 AM
Don't ask me to do anything after/before school hours. My day will start at 8AM and finish at 3:45PM. Don't even think about night performances or Sat. carnivals. If "HE" got a 5.5% raise. WE WANT THE SAME! remember what u said about all the same....

by Mike	Jun 24, 2008 10:12 AM
Our additude should reflect the leadership of the Super, so the board should not even consider anything less the 5.5% raise that we are asking for, regardless of budget constraints