When climbing Mount Everest, why toss in additional obstacles?
Contract negotiations between Volusia County Schools and the teachers union are in a familiar spot: going nowhere.
The two sides haven’t talked since May 30, with each expecting the other to make the next move. Each of the last two contracts reached an impasse, a legal condition in which at least one party declares the negotiations hopelessly deadlocked. At that point, an outside mediator or special magistrate is brought in to find a nonbinding resolution. Both times, the district and the union kept talking through the impasse and reached an agreement. So there’s still opportunity to make progress and seal a deal.
That should begin with focusing on the primary obstacle — salaries — and not be distracted by side issues.
Even with pay increases in the last two contracts, the Volusia County’s average teacher salary lags behind the state’s, as well as those in neighboring Flagler and Seminole counties.
(READ: Who will call first? Volusia County teacher contract negotiations at standstill)
The district has proposed a 1 percent raise in the first year of a three-year contract, plus a one-time $800 bonus. Following that, teachers would get a 2 percent increase in each of the following two years — if funding permits. That’s a big if, as much of that rests on how much the state is willing to kick in. Florida’s complex K-12 funding formula already shortchanges Volusia County by millions of dollars every year, and this year the Legislature didn’t do any district a favor by skimping on the amount of discretionary dollars it provided. Although lawmakers increased per-pupil funding by $101, most of that money has strings attached — districts must spend it on what Tallahassee dictates, such as improving school safety. When you strip away the mandates, what’s left is a measly 47-cent increase in unrestricted funds that has to be spread across various needs, such as transportation, operations ... and teacher salaries.
The union is countering with a 2 percent pay increase in the first year, and a 3 percent raise in the two following years.
Salaries and benefits consume three-fourths of the Volusia County Schools’ general fund operating budget, so the negotiating stakes understandably are high. Yet, the district has thrown other demands on the table that have served only to agitate.
Officials have proposed a weighted financial incentive tied to teacher attendance; ending early-release Wednesdays in favor of adding full days for teacher planning and training; and implementing a teacher dress code. The union has rejected all three, but the latter has been particularly contentious. Many teachers have taken it as an insult to their professionalism.
The dress code came out of nowhere. When has teacher apparel been a problem? Like the other district proposals, it’s probably just a bargaining chip, but it’s a frivolous one exacerbating tensions at a time when the heat needs to be turned down. Money is of higher concern than teachers’ footwear.
Finding middle ground on salaries is difficult enough. When climbing Mount Everest, why toss in additional obstacles?
Union politics may also be a factor in the negotiations. Teacher unions this year have waged successful strikes for better pay and benefits in Oklahoma, West Virginia, Kentucky, Colorado, and Arizona, emboldening others to become more aggressive in their tactics. As a result, the leadership of the Florida Education Association is facing a re-election challenge from a slate of candidates that includes Volusia United Educators President Andrew Spar.
“We want to play more offense than defense,” Spar told GateHouse Media’s John Kennedy. He can boost his statewide bona fides with a “victory” in Volusia County.
That still can be a win-win for both sides if they eliminate distractions and concentrate on paychecks. That starts with returning to the negotiating table.