Brevard Federation of Teachers President Anthony Colucci: Teachers and School Board at Impasse

BPS-BFT negotiations began in August

The Brevard Federation of Teachers and the School Board of Brevard County are at an impasse over salary, planning time, student discipline issues, faulty air conditioning, and advanced degree pay. (Brevard Federation of Teachers image)

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The Brevard Federation of Teachers and the School Board of Brevard County are at an impasse over salary, planning time, student discipline issues, faulty air conditioning and advanced degree pay.

Initially, when negotiations began in August, the Brevard Federation of Teachers proposed an increase of $3,594 for teachers rated “Highly Effective,” $2695.50 for teachers rated “Effective” and a $500 bonus for all.

The school board countered that offer months later in October with $575 for Highly Effective, $360 for Effective, and a $440 bonus.

At this time the district CFO declared that “all the money was on the table.”

The Brevard Federation of Teachers countered the school board’s offer with an increase of $3,594 for teachers rated Highly Effective and $2695.50 for teachers rated Effective and removed the bonus.

Brevard Public Schools countered on December 17, 2018, with $770 for Highly Effective, $540 for Effective, and a $1,000 bonus for all.

It was at this time that there was a caucus of the negotiating team and the large crowd of teachers who packed the negotiating room leading to the decision to call an impasse.

We simply cannot wait several more months for the school board to come back with another offer that not only is not competitive to our comparable and contiguous counties but also does not keep up with inflation.

It is time that BPS takes care of the people who take care of the children of Brevard County.

In addition, the Brevard Federation of Teachers has proposed positive solutions to the air conditioning issues, such as allowing teachers to leave when the students leave if there has been no AC, to discipline issues stemming from student misconduct, such as requiring conferences between all parties to take place expediently in order to allow effective learning to resume, to planning time, such as allowing the teachers more of the early release days for grading and planning purposes, and to graduate degree issues, such as compensating teachers for their advanced degrees earned in their fields.

The school board has rejected these solutions with very little countering or explanation.

– Anthony Colucci, Brevard Federation of Teachers President

Brevard Schools, Teachers Union Meet For Third Time to Negotiate Salary and BonusesRelated Story:
Brevard Schools, Teachers Union Meet For Third Time to Negotiate Salary and Bonuses

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