Brevard Public Schools boosts raise offer to teachers
Sept. 30, 2019
VIERA, Florida – Brevard Public Schools and its teachers’ union appeared close to agreement Monday on salary raises that would be the among the largest in Central Florida.
Negotiations between BPS and the Brevard Federation of Teachers ended for the night with the district matching the union’s request for raises to base pay. The district also increased a proposed supplemental pay raise for teachers with 12 or more years’ experience, a priority shared by the BFT.
The district’s latest offer:
· $2,000 for the 4,149 teachers rated “highly effective” in 2018-2019. That would equate to a 4.1 percent raise for a teacher earning the average BPS salary of $48,634.
· $1,500 for the 314 teachers rated “effective” – a 3 percent raise, on average.
· An additional $900 recurring supplement for 2,416 veteran teachers with 12 or more years’ experience with BPS. For those rated highly effective and earning the average salary -- the district’s proposed total raise of $2,900 would equate to a 5.9 percent increase.
A remaining difference: BFT continues to seek a bigger supplemental raise for those with 12 or more years: $2,000. Negotiations will continue Tuesday.
How BPS’ salary offer compares to other districts:
· Orange County: 4% average raise ($2,025 for highly effective; $1,625 for effective)
· Osceola County: $1,200 for highly effective, $900 for effective
· Seminole County: 3%
· Volusia County: 2%-2.5%
Meanwhile, BPS proposes no increase in health-insurance premiums for staff in 2019-2020.
BPS Superintendent Mark Mullins said he and the Brevard County School Board are determined to negotiate the most competitive pay increase for teachers in Central Florida. BPS has committed all new tax revenue plus budget savings to pay increases in 2019-2020, with teachers getting most of that.
WHAT’S NEXT: Contract negotiations will continue Tuesday at the BFT offices, 1007 Florida Ave, Rockledge, FL 32955. The meeting is open to the public.