Lee County School District strikes deal with teachers’ union

Reporter: Claire Galt Writer: Rachel Murphy
Published: Updated:
lee county school
Lee County teachers wearing red during union-district talks (CREDIT: WINK News)

The Lee County Teachers’ Union met with the school district to discuss how $32.8 million will be spread across 6,000 teachers in the county.

The Lee County School District is remaining silent about negotiations. The director of the teachers’ union told WINK News he was hopeful a deal will be struck at their meeting Monday night.

Lee County School District and Union discussing salaries (CREDIT: WINK News)

The union wants to spend most of the $32.8 million on veteran teachers, but the district wants to use a multi-layered pay structure. The pay structure will be based on performance, years of service and a base salary.

“I’m losing out on family time on the weekends doing these side jobs. That’s priceless. I have a son. You know, he plays soccer on the weekends. There’s other times, ‘Hey, let’s go, swimming in the pool, play sports in the yard, do stuff with my wife,'” said an anonymous teacher who’s doubtful the union’s proposal will help him pay bills.

Lee County Schools said they are 196 teachers short. That means other teachers and administrators are covering classes.

The deal

The Lee County Teachers’ Union and school district have decided on using the $32.8 million for raises based on experience:

  • 0 years – 3.65% raise
  • 1 – 4 years – 5.5% raise
  • 5 – 9 years 8.5% raise 
  • 10 – 14 years 9.5% raise
  • 15 – 19 years – 10.5% raise
  • 20+ years – 11.5% raise

The deal also includes a raise based on effectiveness. Teachers who are highly effective will receive a $667 raise, while teachers who are effective will receive a $500 raise.

Both sides have to sign off on the tentative one-year statement. It’s retroactive to the beginning of the school year. If teachers say yes by the end of October, and the school board says yes in Early November, 6,000 teachers will get a big check in time for the holidays.

“I think it was the best that we could get right now. when I broke it down over the 24 checks, it’s about $500 a month. That’s, that’s a car payment. That’s, that’s, that’s huge. For me, personally, it’s the largest increase I’ve seen in 22 years,” said Christina Chuderski, a single mom with two daughters who teaches gifted students at Mirror Lakes Elementary School.

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