BROOKSVILLE, FL -- September 21, 2022 One of the largest economic settlements ever negotiated for Hernando County educators is on its way to ratification! HCTA and HCSD bargaining representatives signed off on a final agreement for the 2022-23 contract which will push instructional starting salaries to $49,000 and provide salary increases and bonuses for returning staff equating to a 5% or greater overall improvement. At a time when recruiting and retaining educators has proven to the greatest challenge for school districts everywhere, the HCTA and HCSD bargaining teams crafted an economic package intended to attract new educators while providing significant pay increases to current staff.
The tentative agreements for economics include:
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Raise minimum teacher salary to $49,000 ($1,500 for all new hires)
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Provide New Hire First Year Recruitment and Retention Bonus payable at conclusion of 2022-23 contract:
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$250 for 5-9 years verified teaching experience
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$500 for 10+ years verified teaching experience
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$3000 Market Adjustment for all returning instructional staff
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$550 Retention Bonus for all returning instructional staff to be paid after adjustments to ESSER grant have been approved
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Pay for Performance
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$100 for Highly Effective
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$50 for Effective
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Additionally, the Board will increase its monthly contribution for health insurance to cover the 2023 increase to the employee premium (increases for family coverage will vary depending upon plan). Improvements have also been made to compensation for part-time eSchool teachers and Athletic Supplements. Through the bargaining process, the District's initial offer for salary increases was improved by more than $1million in recurring funds.
Referendum Supplements will continue to be calculated based upon the formula negotiated in 2021-22.
The tentative agreements must be ratified by both the instructional bargaining unit and the Hernando County School Board to be implemented. Ratification voting will take place at all worksites on October 10th and 11th.
All instructional staff are invited to attend HCTA's Ratification Town Hall on Wednesday, September 28th @6pm. Link to the registration for HCTA's virtual Ratification Town Hall has been emailed directly to all HCTA members' home emails. Potential members may contact lisa.masserio@floridaea.org to request an invitation to the town hall.