SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — Seminole County Public Schools and teachers union leaders went back and forth for hours in front of a judge Thursday as the two sides tried to resolve a dispute over pay.
The judge will make a recommendation to the Seminole County School Board, set up temporarily at the school district headquarters.
Teachers are seeking a 4 percent raise, while the district wants to cap any pay increase in the area of 2 percent.
The district argues there is no room in the budget for a 4 percent raise.
Teachers, on the other hand, point to millions of unspent dollars the district has at the end of every fiscal year.
“I’m proud to work in Seminole County. We’re an A-plus school district for a reason and we just want to be paid for it,” said teacher Brian Durr.
Durr said he works three jobs to pay the bills. He and his wife, who is also a Seminole County teacher, support the 4 percent raise the union is demanding.
“It would allow me to at least cut back one day on a second job.” said Durr.
The dispute, which became heated at times Thursday, is unfortunate, teacher Connie Britain said.
“It’s been very divisive, and that’s not what we’re about,” she said as she waited for her turn to testify.
There is an issue, though, and pay levels need to be improved, she added.
The district’s chief financial officer argued that the money isn’t there.
“I haven’t heard a plan of how to do that,” he said.
When the battle is won or lost, Union Chair Bobbi Carton said it will only lead into the next round of negotiations.
“We want to show the employees that we’re fighting for them and we care about their concerns. We want the district to care about their concerns,” said Carton.
“We have the new people coming in, and they’re earning almost what I have in 15 years with a master’s degree,” Britain said.
District leaders declined to comment, saying it would be inappropriate while negotiations are ongoing.
After nine hours, the judge hadn’t reached a decision. The judge has 15 days before he ultimately advises school board members who to side with.