- April 25, 2024
-
-
Loading
Loading
DeLand High School auditorium was filled with an echoing din of voices, like a pep rally was about to start. But this was a different kind of school assembly. It was teachers and support staff who were entering in groups, finding seats and waiting for the show on the night of May 18.
The show they were about to see was not very entertaining, unless you enjoy watching four hours of budget discussions, but it kept their rapt attention. Their future salaries and insurance costs were at stake.
On the stage, a table of Volusia Teacher Organization representatives and table of School District officials faced a third table, this one lined with Volusia County School Board members.
The union presented their side, on why teachers should get raises for the 2015-2016 with no changes to insurance; and the district staff presented their side, on why raises cannot start until this summer, and why changes must be made to insurance to save money.
Their year-long attempt to reach an agreement for the 2015-2016 school year was declared an impasse a couple of months ago, which led to the night’s session.
At the end of the meeting, the School Board took the district side, offering the VTO two choices: a 2% raise for one year effective June 30; or a 4% raise for two years effective July 1.
Both offers would include a $500 cap on insurance premiums paid by the School District, meaning that the teachers would pay more for insurance for plans with premiums over $500.
“You say you have to take out of reserves. Of course, if you don’t plan and budget, you have to take out of reserves.”
ANDREW SPAR, VTO president
During the debate, Chief Financial Officer Deb Muller, speaking for the district, said that without a cap on insurance, they don’t know how much to budget. Also, if raises were given for the current year, she said, it would be necessary to dip into the reserves.
Spar said the School Board said last year that it would take control of the budget, but did not live up to promises.
“You say you have to take out of reserves,” he said. “Of course, if you don’t plan and budget, you have to take out of reserves.”
Throughout the night, Spar pointed out how much money the School District had in various balances, and Michael Dyer, counsel for the district, challenged him to say where he would cut. Spar said cuts were the School Board’s decision.
The next step is up to the VTO to vote on the plans. If the VTO does not accept either plan, the School Board will impose the single-year offer, according to School Board spokeswoman Nancy Wait. By state law, a two-year deal cannot be imposed without agreement from the union.
As of May 24, Spar said the VTO was still speaking with attorneys and had not yet scheduled a vote.
Wait said the School Board will not make a final decision until after a vote.
Spar also said he expects to file one or more charges of unfair labor practice. One basis is that the district is making changes for the 2016-2017 while negotiating for 2015-2016.
