INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Indian River County School District and negotiators for district teachers have forged a 3-year contract that calls for an increase in salaries in exchange for an increase in work time.
The School Board unanimously approved the proposed contract, which had approximately 100 changes to the previous one. The IRCEA is expected to ratify the contract later this week.
IRCEA President Liz Cannon spoke in support of the contract prior to the vote and Board members hailed the contract as a sign that relations between the two groups have improved.
“It’s a give and take,” Board member Claudia Jimenez said. “It’s not always easy…This is a time of celebration.”
Under the terms of the contract, teachers would increase their workday by 30 minutes, bringing them to an official 8-hour workday. In exchange for the added time, which would be used for professional development purposes, teachers will get an extra $900 in their paychecks each year over this and the next two years.
The added half-hour won’t go into effect until Year 2 of the contract.
Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Rendell called the contract “historic” and told VeroNews.com prior to the Board meeting that he wasn’t aware of any other school districts that have been able to forge a 3-year contract with their unions.
Both Dr. Rendell and Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Dr. William Fritz said prior to the meeting that the salary increase could be handled within the District’s budget and does not require a tax increase to fund.
Board Chair Matt McCain cautioned the Board that the 3-year contract does not end the District and union’s work; they will continue to work together before the contract ends in school year 2018.
“This is just a start of some labor harmony,” he said.