The Volusia County School District and the teachers union have reached an impasse after several unsuccessful bargaining sessions, and now, teachers are rallying in response.Dozens of educators gathered outside the district building Tuesday afternoon, hoping to send a clear message to district leaders: They will not settle.Some teachers were already inside as the school board meeting got underway.The union is calling for a 2% salary increase for all teachers. Union President Elizabeth Albert says the district’s latest offer, a 1.5% raise and a one-time bonus, simply isn’t enough, especially after Volusia earned its first district-wide A grade in years, she said.Negotiations have been ongoing since the end of August, but after five sessions, the district declared an impasse.Despite that, Albert says she remains hopeful that both sides can return to the table.”We are rallying today for dignity and respect for our teachers, and our support staff have worked very hard to make this an A-rated district,” Albert. “We received that grade last year because we give all that we have to the students of this community to help them achieve academic success. And we believe that that needs to be recognized and valued.” If the district does not agree to another bargaining session, the matter will go before the school board for a vote, something the union wants to avoid.Albert also warned that without progress, the district could lose educators to nearby counties.”Professional educators in Volusia can, they can go across the bridge on I-4 into Seminole and Orange and earn thousands and thousands of dollars more on day one,” said Albert. “They can go up to Flagler and have the same experience. So our, our position is that we want to create the best package. So we keep the best people here because our students deserve the best.”When a certain point of the impasse is reached, the council will have to make the final vote about what the raise will be, which is what Albert doesn’t want. She hopes the district schedules at least one other bargaining session.
The Volusia County School District and the teachers union have reached an impasse after several unsuccessful bargaining sessions, and now, teachers are rallying in response.
Dozens of educators gathered outside the district building Tuesday afternoon, hoping to send a clear message to district leaders: They will not settle.
Some teachers were already inside as the school board meeting got underway.
The union is calling for a 2% salary increase for all teachers. Union President Elizabeth Albert says the district’s latest offer, a 1.5% raise and a one-time bonus, simply isn’t enough, especially after Volusia earned its first district-wide A grade in years, she said.
Negotiations have been ongoing since the end of August, but after five sessions, the district declared an impasse.
Despite that, Albert says she remains hopeful that both sides can return to the table.
“We are rallying today for dignity and respect for our teachers, and our support staff have worked very hard to make this an A-rated district,” Albert. “We received that grade last year because we give all that we have to the students of this community to help them achieve academic success. And we believe that that needs to be recognized and valued.”
If the district does not agree to another bargaining session, the matter will go before the school board for a vote, something the union wants to avoid.
Albert also warned that without progress, the district could lose educators to nearby counties.
“Professional educators in Volusia can, they can go across the bridge on I-4 into Seminole and Orange and earn thousands and thousands of dollars more on day one,” said Albert. “They can go up to Flagler and have the same experience. So our, our position is that we want to create the best package. So we keep the best people here because our students deserve the best.”
When a certain point of the impasse is reached, the council will have to make the final vote about what the raise will be, which is what Albert doesn’t want. She hopes the district schedules at least one other bargaining session.