Negotiations

MEA SECURES AGREEMENT FOR NON-RENEWED TEACHERS,
FIRST OF ITS KIND FOR MANATEE COUNTY SCHOOLS

June 4, 2013 - MEA and Manatee County Schools have signed an agreement outlining the rights of teachers who were non-renewed to return to work for the 2013-2014 school year as positions open.  This agreement pertains to teachers who were rated no less than effective in any category on the final evaluation for 2012-2013.  These rights will exist through the 10-day count for the 2013-2014 school year.  For more details click on the following to read the Memorandum of Understanding.

MEA also received clarification from the district on the direction principals were given regarding non-renewals of teachers and paraprofessionals.   MEA raised this issue with district management after receiving many calls from members saying not all first year annual contract teachers at their schools had been non-renewed.  As a result, Dr. Diana Greene, Deputy Superintendent for Instruction, sent a memo to MEA and School Board members explaining what actually occurred with both teacher and paraprofessional non-renewals.  For more information click on the following read that memo.

This MOU is related to the first week of work for teachers.

mouworkyear.pdf

This MOU is a change in how payment is made if there is no substitute available.

moupaymentfornosub.pdf

This MOU explains the working conditions for teachers and paraprofessionals in relation to the district's Professional Learning Wednesdays for the '19-'20 school year.  

mouplw1920.pdf

Voting will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, February 4, 2019

and will end at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, February 8, 2019.

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The ratification votes will take place by electronic ballot.

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Voting instructions will be sent by email to each member of the teacher and paraprofessional bargaining units.  The tentative agreements will be posted at your school and here on the MEA website.  Click on the following links to read the tentative agreements on the teachers' and paraprofessionals' contracts.

If you have any questions, please contact MEA at 747-5091 or via email at association@manateeschools.net.

January 16, 2019

Tentative agreements on the economic reopeners for the 2018-2019 teacher and paraprofessional contracts have been reached between the Manatee County School District and the Manatee Education Association. All other provisions of the 2017-2020 Collective Bargaining Agreements remain unchanged.

The tentative agreements include the following:

Teachers’ Salary Schedules*

• 3 level movements for teachers on the Grandfathered Salary Schedule
• 3 level movements for teachers rated Highly Effective on the Performance Salary Schedule
• 2 level movements for teachers rated Effective on the Performance Salary Schedule

Article XII, Section 12, Longevity

• All teachers who have completed 16/25 years of experience in Manatee County Schools as of June 30, 2018 will receive longevity payments of $2,100 for those who have completed 16 years and $3,600 for those who have completed 25 years.

*applies to teachers who have worked 99 days or more in the previous work year

Paraprofessionals’ Salary Schedules* (teacher aides, teacher assistants, lab managers, behavior techs, etc.)

• 2 steps on the salary schedule for all eligible paraprofessionals
• Paraprofessionals at the top of the salary schedule will receive the equivalent of a 2 step increase

*applies to paras who have worked 99 days or more in the previous work year

All salary schedule adjustments are retro-active to July 1, 2018.

Health Insurance for Teachers and Paraprofessionals

• No change to premiums or benefits

These tentative agreements will be sent out by the Manatee Education Association to all teachers and paraprofessionals for a ratification vote. Details for ratification will be discussed with Building Reps at the January 28^th Rep Council Meeting.

bargaining_011519.pdf

January 7, 2019

Although MEA's bargaining team was prepared to negotiate, today's bargaining session was postponed by the district's bargaining representatives.  Citing a delay in receiving the third calculation from the Florida Department of Education (DOE) as the primary reason for not meeting to bargain, management said they were unable to offer a counter proposal until they had that information. 

MEA is ready to return to negotiations as soon as a new date is agreed upon.

Minutes from previous sessions can be found below.  Further information will be provided as it becomes available.

December 11, 2018

The MEA and management bargaining teams will be returning to the bargaining table on Monday, January 7, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at the SSC. 

Unfortunately, the district has been reluctant to respond to MEA's last proposal until they are able to balance the ledger and have received the 3rd FEFP calculation from DOE. They believe having both pieces of information will allow them to provide a counter proposal to our last proposal on January 7th. 

Minutes from previous bargaining sessions are posted below. 

November 4, 2018

The last scheduled bargaining session was postponed at the request of management's bargaining team. The reasons given for this request were a need for further review of MEA's proposals as well as time to gather financial data.

A new date has yet to be scheduled.

bargaining_100118.pdf

October 1, 2018

Management and MEA’s bargaining teams met for the third bargaining session and put opening salary proposals on the table.  

For paraprofessionals, management proposed a total 1% increase to the paraprofessional bargaining unit.  For teachers, management proposed one level movement for effective and two level movement for highly effective for those on the performance pay schedule as well as two level movement for those on the grandfathered schedule. 

One of MEA’s long term goals has been to get paraprofessionals caught up on their steps.  To that end, MEA proposed moving paraprofessionals three steps on the salary schedule.  The MEA teacher proposal was to move teachers on the performance pay schedule rated highly effective four levels, those rated effective three levels and to move those on the grandfathered schedule four levels. 

Teachers rated less than effective are ineligible for level movement according to Florida law. 

The next bargaining session is scheduled for Wednesday, October 17, 2018 at 5:00 p.m.

September 19, 2018

MEA continued questioning the district’s budget priorities.  There was a productive exchange of questions and answers by the chief financial officer Heather Jenkins.  MEA chief negotiator Bruce Proud reviewed the complications created by the past negotiations, the law related to performance pay and the impact on negotiations.  Also discussed were parts of the teachers and paraprofessionals salary schedules.  MEA laid out priorities for salaries for teachers and paraprofessionals.  The details will be provided in the bargaining notes.  The next bargaining session is scheduled for Monday, October 1, 2018.

bargaining_091918.pdf

September 18, 2018 - The MEA and District management bargaining teams met on the evening of Tuesday, September 18, 2018. 

Management gave a budget presentation explaining their allocations from the legislature and responded to MEA’s questions for clarification.  No proposals were exchanged.  Budget review and questioning will resume again on Wednesday, September 19, 2018. 

The following are the bargaining team members:

For MEA - Bruce Proud, Pat Barber, Dawn Walker, Cory Bernaert (Freedom), Linda Bryan-Beachler (Freedom), Kara Carney (Rogers Garden Bullock), Melissa Cohen (King), Helen King (Bayshore Elementary), Brian Kirchberg (Braden River HS), Melanie Newhall (Kinnan), and Marlyce Stringer (Tillman). 

For Management – Bill Vogel, Scott Boice (Nolan), Sarah Brown (SSC), Willie Clark (SSC), Annette Codelia (SSC), Jacob Davis (SSC), Sharon Scarbrough (BRHS), Lesli Strickland (SSC), Heather Jenkins (SSC), Tammy Taylor (SSC), and Doug Wagner (SSC).

bargaining_091818.pdf

July 18, 2018

1. How much will I receive from the 1 Mill?

Teachers and paraprofessionals will receive two payments from the 1 Mill. The first will be paid at the individual employee’s hourly rate for the 15 minutes added to the duty day. The second is in the form of a supplement which is paid equally to every teacher and paraprofessional.

2. How is the amount of the supplement for teachers determined?

The teacher bargaining unit receives 51% of the total revenue from the 1 Mill. The amount paid for the salary and benefits for the 15 minutes added to the work day is subtracted from that total 51%. Whatever is remaining will be taxed and divided equally among the number of teachers allocated (not hired) by the School Board. If there is money left because all teacher positions allocated are not filled or someone does not receive the full supplement due to retirement, resignation or taking leave, all remaining portions will be held in reserve and distributed as part of the next year’s allocation for teachers.

3. How is the amount of the supplement for paraprofessionals determined?

The paraprofessional bargaining unit receives 5% of the total revenue from the 1 Mill. The amount paid for the salary and benefits for the 15 minutes added to the work day (for teacher aides the work day goes from 7 hours to 7.25 hours; for teacher assistants, behavior techs and administrative parent liaisons the work day goes from 7.5 hours to 7.75 hours per day) is subtracted from that total 5%. Whatever is remaining will be taxed and divided equally among the number of paraprofessionals allocated (not hired) by the School Board. If there is money left because all paraprofessional positions allocated are not hired or someone does not receive the full supplement due to retirement, resignation or taking leave, all remaining portions will be held in reserve and distributed as part of the next year’s allocation for paraprofessionals.

4. When will teachers and paraprofessionals start receiving their increased pay from the 1 Mill?

All employees in the teachers’ and paraprofessionals’ bargaining units will start receiving their increased pay from the 1 Mill in their checks on August 25^th.

5. How was the percentage of the Mill allocated to each employee group determined?

The amount allocated to each employee group was determined by the percent the district’s employees represented in that particular group. For instance, teachers are 51% of the employees in the district and paras are 5% of the employees in the district.

teacher_and_para_supplement_calculation_071018.pdf

grandfathered_teacher_salary_schedule_2017-2018_additional_15_mins_071018.pdf

performance_pay_teacher_salary_schedule_2017-2018_additional_15_mins_071018.pdf

paraprofessionals1milexplanation.pdf

annualized_para_salary_schedules_2017-2018_additional_15_mins_071018.pdf

*Negotiations have not taken place for the 2018-2019 contract which includes salaries, benefits and two reopeners (sections of the contract) brought by each party.

January 17, 2018 - On behalf of all individuals in the teacher and paraprofessional bargaining units MEA negotiated a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the School District of Manatee County to determine how funds generated by the 1 mill will impact teacher and paraprofessional salaries and working conditions.  MEA wants teachers and paraprofessionals to have as much information as possible about how they will be impacted by the referendum prior to the March 20, 2018 vote.  Click here to read the signed MOU.

Highlights of the MOU Regarding the 1 Mill Referendum

Teachers*

• Duty day increased by 15 minutes and paid at the teacher’s hourly rate.  The average increase would be $1,569.
• Supplement equal to 51% of the total revenue of the 1 mill divided by the number of teachers in the bargaining unit (employed in the district).  Referendum supplement is estimated to be $4,274 assuming the referendum generates $33,000,000 and the number of bargaining unit members is 2888.
• Guaranteed in student day planning time for elementary (increased to 45 minutes daily), middle and high school teachers (increased based on length of student period)
• 225 minutes per week of uninterrupted planning time during pre/post student day time

Paraprofessionals*

• Duty day increased by 15 minutes and paid at the paraprofessional’s hourly rate.  The average increase would be $647.
• Supplement equal to 5% of the total revenue of the 1 mill divided by the number of paraprofessionals in the bargaining unit (employed in the district).  Referendum supplement is estimated to be $1,752 assuming the referendum generates $33,000,000 and the number of bargaining unit members is 751.

*Calculations and numbers are based upon information provided to the School Board of Manatee County by the Superintendent.

Voting will begin at 7:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 6, 2017

and will end at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 12, 2017.

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The ratification votes will take place by electronic ballot.

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Voting instructions will be sent by email to each member of the teacher and paraprofessional bargaining units.  The tentative agreements will be posted at your school and are posted below.

In addition, teachers and paraprofessionals will have all of the tentative agreements on the respective contracts sent to them electronically.

If you have any questions, please contact MEA at 747-5091 or via email at association@manateeschools.net.

The MEA Bargaining Team recommends a "YES" vote on both the teacher and paraprofessional contracts.

ta_-_teachers_102117

ta_-_paras_102117

SCHOOL DISTRICT AND TEACHERS’ UNION REACH TENTATIVE AGREEMENT

(Bradenton, FL – November 21, 2017) All teachers and returning paraprofessionals will receive a salary enhancement and neither group will see an increase in their health insurance premiums as part of a tentative agreement reached between the Manatee Education Association and the School District of Manatee County. The tentative agreement, which was officially reached on Monday evening, November 20, 2017, must be ratified by teachers and paraprofessionals before being presented to the School Board of Manatee County for approval.

Under the agreement, the salary for a beginning teacher with a bachelor’s degree will move from $38,285 to $39,094 and existing teachers will receive an increase between $1,100 and $1,400 depending upon whether they are on the Grandfather Salary Schedule or the Pay-for-Performance Schedule.  

Highlights of the tentative agreement include:

Teachers  

• The average salary increase is approximately 3%.

• Teachers on the Grandfather Schedule will move up four (4) levels.

• Teachers on the Pay-for-Performance Schedule will move up four (4) levels for Highly Effective, and three (3) levels for Effective.

• Steps 1a and 1b will be removed from the Salary Schedule in order to increase the starting salary of beginning teachers.

• All level steps will increase $200.

• Longevity pay will be awarded to those who qualify.

• The agreement is retroactive to 7/1/17.

• Health Care Benefits and rates will stay at the current level with the exception of Emergency Room Co-Pay, which will be reduced under all plans.

• Teachers participating in the District’s Health Care program will receive a “premium holiday” (no premium deductions) for the month of December, 2017.

Paraprofessionals (Paras)

• The salary schedule will be increased $.15 per hour.

• All Paraprofessionals will move up two (2) levels.

• The average salary increase is 4.2%.

• The agreement is retroactive to 7/1/17.

• Health Care Benefits and rates will remain at the current level with the exception of Emergency Room Co-Pay, which will be reduced under all plans.
• Paraprofessionals participating in the District’s Health Care program will receive a “premium holiday” (no premium deduction) for the month of December, 2017.

“I want to thank all the members of the bargaining teams for their hard work and patience as we worked through this process,” said Pat Barber, MEA president.

Manatee District Deputy Superintendent of Business Services and Operations Ron Ciranna was enthusiastic about the collaboration between the two sides and the results of the process.

“It was a great experience working together to reach this tentative agreement,” Ciranna said. “I want to personally thank Dr. Greene for her leadership and support, as well as our School Board for providing direction for our District’s Negotiation Team.”

November 16, 2017 - The MEA and Management Bargaining teams returned to the table on Wednesday, November 15^th.  There were lengthy discussions regarding the issues as well as team caucuses which extended the session late into the evening. Progress was made toward agreement in both contract language and salary for teachers and paraprofessionals. However, no tentative agreements were signed.

Another session was scheduled for Monday, November 20, 2017 at 5:00 p.m.

bargaining_111517

The MEA and management bargaining teams met for a day-long session on Thursday, October 19, 2017.

There was progress made on language items related to teacher certification requirements as well as payroll errors, and pay day for teachers and paraprofessionals.

MEA proposed a return to terminal pay language that existed prior to July 1, 2011 for teachers and paraprofessionals due to management’s explanation of the difficulties related to providing an annual accounting of employee sick leave accrual. This proposal was countered by management and the issue is still under discussion.

There was also some progress made in salary discussions as management moved closer to MEA’s proposal for teachers and paraprofessionals.  

There are still differences in MEA and Management salary proposals as far as the number of level/step movements for teachers and paraprofessionals.

The minutes and all proposals are posted below.  

bargaining_101917

mea_proposals_october_19

management_proposals_october_19_prt1

management_proposals_october_19_prt2

The MEA and Management collective bargaining teams met on Friday, October 6, 2017 for a full day of bargaining.  Teams moved closer on contract language issues including some tentative agreements on contract language; however, there have been no changes in salary proposals. 

Tentative agreements and notes are posted below.  The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 19, 2017.

bargaining_100617

tas10617

On Wednesday, September 27, 2017, MEA provided contract language counterproposals to management’s proposals from the last bargaining session.  Management provided a salary proposal.  There was a lot of conversation about management’s new payroll system and its impact on the teacher and paraprofessional contracts.  While we haven’t reached any tentative agreements MEA and management continue to work to clarify issues and reach agreement.

All documents and notes are posted below.  The next meeting is scheduled for Friday, October 6, 2017.

bargaining_092717

mea_proposals_092717

management_proposal_salary_092717

management_proposal_employee_payday_teachers_092717

management_proposal_employee_payday_paras_092717

management_proposal_employee_payday_discrepancies_092717

Friday, September 1, 2017 - MEA’s bargaining team met with management’s bargaining team on Wednesday, August 30, 2017.  During the meeting MEA and management exchanged proposals related to various articles in the teacher and paraprofessional contracts.

Management’s proposals focused on changes to various sections of the contact related to specific language, while MEA’s priority was proposing enhancements to the economic status of teachers and paraprofessionals.  There were no agreements reached during this session.

Both parties agreed to review the proposals and return to negotiations on Wednesday, September 13, 2017.  

Bargaining notes 083017

MEA salary proposal 083017

MEA longevity proposal 083017

Management proposals 083017
 

August 14, 2017 - On Monday afternoon, August 14, 2017, the MEA and Management bargaining teams met for the second bargaining session.  Both teams exchanged lists of contract articles.  The full contracts are open on both the teacher and paraprofessional contracts.  The articles management identified are as follows:

1.  Article IV, Section 5 – Dues deductions.
2.  Article IV, Section 6 – Uniform assessment.
3.  Article V, No. 6 (b) – Working Conditions:  Conference on Record Days
4.  Article V, Section 11 – Highly Qualified Teachers
5.  Article V, Section 23 – Terms and Conditions of MTI (MTC) Contracts
6.  Article V, Section 30 – Item 3 for Juvenile Justice Employees
7.  Article V, Section 30 (d) – Juvenile Justice Employees
8.  Article V, Section 31 – Contract for Guidance Counselors
9.  Article V, Section 35 – Pay for Other Assignments (Non-Contracted Hours)
10.  Article IX, Section 1 – Sick Leave
11.  Article IX, Section 1 – Posting of Vacancies
12.  Article IX, Section 2 – Sick Leave Statement
13.  Article XII – Compensation and Health Insurance
14.  Article XII, Section 6, Subdivision 5 – (Item 1) Term Life Insurance Policy
15.  Article XII, Section 6 – Codification of Salary Guidelines and Fringe Benefits
16.  Article II, Section 6, Subdivision 6 – Teacher Payday:  “Semi-monthly Pay”
17.  Article XII, Section 6, Subdivision 7 – Payroll Errors
18.  Article XII, Section 9 – Curriculum Development and Special Projects
19.  Article XIV – Grievance Procedure
20.  Appendix B, Differentiated Pay Salary Schedule – 2015-2016 Salary Supplement Schedule
21.  Appendix C – Donated Sick Leave Authorization Form

MEA identified the following contract articles: 

1.  Article XII, Appendix A – Teacher Salary:  Adjustments/Level movement/Performance Pay
2.  Paraprofessional Salary – Step movement/Schedule enhancements/Longevity
3.  Article XII, Appendix B – Differentiated Pay/ Salary Supplements
4.  New Teacher Language Article XII – Teacher Longevity Supplements
5.  Article V – Extended workday – L300 and others
6.  Differential Accountability
7.  Article XII, Subdivision 6 – Payroll/ERP
8.  Article XII, Appendix E - Health Insurance Plan Design/Clinic
9.  Appendix XII, Appendix E – Health Insurance Premiums/Clinic

Neither team presented proposed contract language to address these issues at this meeting.  It is anticipated that proposed contract language will be exchanged in future bargaining sessions.

Also discussed was the status of MEA data requests.  Management stated that the bulk of information would be available by the end of the week. 

In addition, there was discussion about the status of proposed Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs).  MOUs under consideration are Professional Learning Wednesdays, Educational Emergency Schools, and Teacher Pay (ERP).

The next bargaining session is scheduled for Wednesday, August 30, 2017 at 4:30 p.m.  

Bargaining notes 081417

August 1, 2017 - The MEA and Management bargaining teams met on Tuesday, August 1st for an introductory bargaining session.  Teams discussed process, sharing of information and scheduled a future meeting date.   Both parties expressed interest in getting an agreement as soon as possible. 

The MEA bargaining team consists of Bruce Proud, Pat Barber, Dawn Walker, Melanie Newhall (Rogers Garden-Bullock), Kara Carney (Rogers Garden-Bullock), Melissa Cohen (King Middle), Helen King (Bayshore Elementary), Brian Kirchberg (Braden River HS), Steve Motkowicz (Horizons), and Jon Syre (King Middle).

Management’s bargaining team consists of Carl Auckerman (Palmetto HS), Sarah Brown (SSC), Ron Ciranna (SSC), Jacob Davis (SSC), James Horner (Abel), Angela Lindsey (Johnson), Rebecca Roberts (SSC) and Lesli Strickland (SSC).

The next bargaining session is scheduled for Monday, August 14, 2017 at 4:30 p.m.

Bargaining notes 080117

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Friday, April 7, 2017

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT THE TEACHER CONTRACT

WAS NOT RATIFIED.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the impasse activities 

and voted.

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