OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — Osceola County teachers were told on Thursday they won’t be getting a pay raise this year because of the budget but the union argues, the money is there and the district isn’t willing to spend it.
The union said it is willing to take the case to court.
A few things would have to happen before then but the union president said if leaders don’t budge, they’ll take the fight as far as they have to.
Osceola County teachers and the district have been negotiating over contracts for months.
“We are very far apart on salaries. The district is saying there’s no money whatsoever for raises,” said Apryl Jackson of the Osceola County Education Association.
Jackson said teachers are being told the district can’t afford to spend more than $2.5 million.
Jackson said she looked at the budget, and there could be just enough to make the raises happen, but the district said they’ve spent more than they’ve brought in for the last few years.
“Our argument is, even if we have a shortfall, there’s still money in the find to give teachers raises,” Jackson said.
The district does have about $40 million in reserves and is required by law to keep a certain amount of money in that fund.
The union filed a grievance against the district, arguing they aren’t holding up to their end of the contract.
The district denied the grievance, saying, in part, because the union’s argument is based on obsolete contract verbiage.
Jackson said they’re willing to take it to arbitration which would cost money if it means getting more money for teachers.
“It’s very frustrating. We know the money is there,” Jackson said.
Channel 9’s Deneige Broom compared starting salaries for teachers in Osceola County and surrounding counties.
They’ll make about $500 more than in Seminole County starting off, but Seminole County teachers got raises.