There’s still no agreement in bargaining, right?
Right. While 16 associations in the Panhandle have come to agreement for 2016-17 (some several months ago), Santa Rosa teachers and Education Staff Professionals are still at the table. Some say that the current association is fighting hard, but increasing numbers of employees have become disillusioned with the inability in recent years to get things done in a timely manner. Worse still is that the current union’s bargaining results make it very clear that Santa Rosa teacher salaries have slipped. Take a look at the following information that was shared with the Board team during the January 23rd session:
Average Salaries, 2009-2010 thru 2015-2016:
| District | 2009-10 | 2015-16 | 5 Yr $ Chg | 5 Yr % Chg |
| Santa Rosa | 45,557 | 44,964 | -$593 | -1.30% |
| Escambia | 42,346 | 45,171 | $2,825 | 6.67% |
| Okaloosa | 51,598 | 55,361 | $3,763 | 7.29% |
Click HERE to view the referenced bargaining document posted on the District’s website.
That’s right, average teacher salaries in Santa Rosa have declined in the past 5 years. Additionally, Santa Rosa is the ONLY district in which its Annual Contract teachers are not provided an assurance of continued employment for those who are rated “Effective” or higher in their evaluations. Escambia, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Gulf, Jackson, Gadsden and 33 other associations have won this much-needed protection, but not so in Santa Rosa. Holley-Navarre Intermediate teacher Catherine Wilson explained, “If I were teaching in Escambia or Okaloosa I’d be making thousands more, but because I love my job and my kids attend school here, I have a vested interest in staying in Santa Rosa County. Also, while I’m a Professional Service Contract teacher, I feel for my colleagues who are on Annual Contracts. They deserve some peace of mind that as long as they earn good evaluations they will be employed for the following year.”
Perhaps it is time—for a new union – one with experienced negotiators with fresh ideas and who are focused on member input.
Are you ready for a change? Then you’re ready for Santa Rosa EA. Currently, we are collecting Showing of Interest Cards to petition for an election to challenge the current organization for bargaining rights. Please complete the card (please fill out the correct form – the top is for teachers and the bottom for Education Staff Professionals) and send it one of two ways:
- Mail to Santa Rosa EA, P.O. Box 723, Milton, FL 32570
- Email us at [email protected] to arrange for your card to be picked up at your worksite
Literally HUNDREDS have signed cards as a result of our efforts, and we plan to get HUNDREDS more to sign for Santa Rosa EA. Come, join the change. NOW is the time!
State News
Governor Scott rolls out proposed education budget
This past week, the governor released his entire state budget proposal for the 2017-2018 fiscal year. Remember, this is only his suggestion to the Legislature as to how they should spend the State’s money.
The governor took an optimistic stand on revenue and on our state’s future. We think districts should do the same. Highlights of the proposal include:
- Funds a 28,193 increase in student enrollment
- $7,421 per-student funding – which is a 3% increase over the 2016-17 Third Calculation of $7,205.
- Allows Required Local Effort (RLE) millage rate to stay at 4.638, capturing the increased revenue which results from rising property values yielding a 6.56% increase of local revenue
- State revenue increased by $257,251,799 or by 2.28%
- Fully funds both the normal cost and the unfunded actuarial liability of the Florida Retirement System
- No funding for the controversial Best and Brightest program. His replacements are a mixed bag with some bad ideas mixed in with good – but still worthy of discussion:
- $10 million for a one-time hiring bonus for teachers testing in the top 10 percent of the Subject Area Examination in the subject they teach in 2017-2018;
- $5 million to increase the diversity of the teachers in critical shortage and high need areas;
- $5.9 million to recruit Bright Futures Scholars who major in education and commit to four years of teaching in the rural district from which they graduated high school;
- $16 million for districts to implement targeted recruitment and retention initiatives that meet their needs; and
- $6.1 million to “reward great teachers in low performing schools.”
Join Our Action Alert List
It’s important to understand that every decision made in our schools have a political origin. Legislators make laws that govern almost everything you do on the job, and often they make decisions without consulting the people who are impacted the most. This is one of the main reasons why it is so important for members to take action. We need to hold lawmakers accountable. The only way to change what’s happening in Tallahassee is to get involved, especially during the legislative session. CLICK HERE TO JOIN. Also, text feaactivist to 31996 to receive alerts via text message.
National News
Study: Vouchers enable discrimination and segregation
Research led by an Indiana University professor confirms what school voucher critics have long argued: Voucher programs receive public funding yet discriminate on the basis of religion, disability status, sexual orientation, and possibly other factors. The finding is especially timely as President Donald Trump and his designee to serve as Secretary of Education, Michigan school-choice activist Betsy DeVos, have indicated they will use federal clout and money to push states to expand voucher programs. “At the time we did the study, we had no idea it would be so relevant,” said Suzanne Eckes, professor in the IU School of Education and the lead author of the research paper. “People are starting to think about these questions, and the topic has not been widely addressed in research.” Read more …