New contract with raise approved for Seminole County school employees

Nearly 10,000 employees in the Seminole County School District will be getting a raise for this past school year and the one ahead.

Union officials made the announcement Tuesday night.

It’s not the raise teachers originally wanted, but in the end, many said the contract was fair.

The teachers will be getting a raise next year and a retroactive raise from the school year that’s about to end.

“Come July 1, our employees are going to get to know exactly what they are making for next year and that is unprecedented in Seminole County and the state of Florida,” said UniServe Chair Bobbi Carton.

That means all employees will receive a 2.25 percent raise retroactive to July 1 of last year, and next year they will receive a 2.75 percent raise on top of their base pay.

Some school employees said the contract fails to add up to what they wanted and they planned to vote it down, but in the end, the majority thought it was fair.

“I’m excited about the pay raise. I’m very excited that it is going to cover two years. We are not used to negotiate ahead of time and this is big step for us,” said middle school teacher Kathy Breitenbruck.

“I think it’s fair. It’s going to guarantee us a raise for two years, and it’s going to help all Seminole County, whether you are a member or not,” said Tillman.

The four unions have been without a new contract since the start of this past school year.

It’s the first time all four groups voted together.

The original demand was for an increase of approximately 6 percent.

Cox Media Group