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TAMPA — The Hillsborough County School Board followed the lead of its teacher and staff unions Tuesday, voting to adopt a new contract that includes both ambitious reforms and 14 controversial early-release days.
But it wasn't easy.
Around a dozen parents rose to say that the early dismissals took too much away from their children's studies.
"We don't pay our teachers enough," said Brent Britton, whose son attends Roosevelt Elementary. "But the way to fix that is not to take our students out of the classroom for early-release days."
Teachers and principals said they need the time to prepare lessons and collaborate with colleagues.
And in the end, just one of the seven board members — Jennifer Faliero, who lost her seat in last week's primary election to two challengers — opposed the contract.
"I know that district staff, state, and the federal government has added extras to your day, which is why you no longer have adequate planning time," she said, speaking to teachers. "What I do believe, though, is that 14 early-release days is too disruptive for all."
Under the contract, teachers and staff will move up one step on their salary scale, a 2 percent pay increase. Those at the top will get a $1,000 increase.
Bargaining units representing non-teaching staff, bus drivers, custodians and administrators reached similar agreements.
The teachers' contract also marked the first time union members have been asked to vote on a tougher evaluation system, performance-based pay scale and peer evaluation, all of which are part of the seven-year, $202 million partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Union officials said voting members last week overwhelmingly backed the contract — 96 percent of teachers and 97 percent of non-teaching staff in the Hillsborough Classroom Teachers' Association, and some 99 percent of bus drivers and other employees represented by the Hillsborough School Employees Federation.
"I know that it is part of this district's heart and soul that we want to help our students succeed by helping our teachers to excel," said HCTA president Jean Clements. "We care first and foremost about (students') success in school and in life."
But nothing in the contract drew as much heat at Tuesday's meeting as the early-release days, which were also in last year's calendar.
Parent Jennifer Carlstedt said she works hard to keep her two children motivated in their classes at Roosevelt Elementary.
"It seems to me we're starting to devalue school in their eyes," she said. "I don't think they should pay the price so we can provide teachers the opportunity to plan."
"My second-grader says she loves them, because they are movie days," said parent April Neil. "She will be happy when you pass this."
But teachers and principals said they taught real classes on such days and used the extra time to make their teaching more effective.
"It is the only guaranteed, sustained planning time that we have," said Amanda Newman, a parent and second-grade teacher at Valrico Elementary. "I work late, it's what we do. It doesn't mean that's what we should have to do every day."
Board members urged the district to resolve the problem for next year with a committee including parents and teachers.
"I think we have some very bright people in this community and we can find something better," said board member Candy Olson. "I do have a problem with the number of weeks that are not normal, five-day weeks."
Tom Marshall can be reached at tmarshall@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3400.
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