Special Magistrate Rules in Favor of Brevard Federation of Teachers Pay Hike Demand

By  //  May 18, 2019

awards highly effective teachers $2,300 raises and effective teachers $1,725 pay hikes

The Brevard Federation of Teachers and representatives for the Brevard Public Schools presented their cases on April 23 in front of a special magistrate and a decision came through to both sides on Friday afternoon. (Brevard Federation of Teachers image)

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The Brevard Federation of Teachers and representatives for the Brevard Public Schools presented their cases on April 23 in front of a special magistrate and a decision came through to both sides on Friday afternoon.

It was recommended that the Brevard County School Board agree to the final Brevard Federation of Teachers bargaining proposals as follows:

• Issue #1: Salary increases shall be awarded according to contract status and 2017-18 performance evaluation, awarding highly effective teachers $2,300 raises and effective teachers $1,725 pay hikes.

• Issue #2: Bargaining unit members certified in Exceptional Student Education shall receive an $835 supplement in addition to the $165 supplement they currently receive for being certified in a critical shortage area, for a total supplement of $1,000.

“It is well within the School Board’s power to change priorities and fund this proposal without bringing its fund balance to a fiscally irresponsible position,” said Magistrate Tom Young.

“It seems axiomatic that Brevard County School District would seek to put itself in a more favorable competitive position to attract and retain quality teachers, and this would in the best interests of the children and the public it serves.”

In Florida, the School Board is the final governing body.

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Brevard County Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Mullins now has 20 days to decide if he accepts or rejects the magistrate’s decision.

“This was a huge step toward righting an injustice,” said Anthony Colucci, President of the Brevard Federation of Teachers.

“Dr. Mullins and the district should do the right thing and accept the magistrate’s findings.”

If Mullins rejects it, there will be a legislative hearing in front of the Brevard County Schools School Board of Brevard County.

“We hope that the School Board of Brevard County will take to heart that a neutral party understood their teachers’ plight and agreed with them and in turn do the right thing and accept the decision,” said Vanessa Skipper, Vice President of the Brevard Federation of Teachers.

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