Special Hearing Scheduled For VTO And VSB Impasse Negotiations

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Teacher graphic

Volusia County, FL-The DeLand High School auditorium will likely have a capacity crowd one week from tomorrow.  The Volusia Teachers Organization has been granted an impasse hearing to resolve the issue of teacher pay raises and health insurance costs. No public participation is provided at an impasse hearing.

A post on the VTO's Facebook page is asking all employees and any parents or community members who care to attend the meeting.

The post also stated that "This will be where the school votes to likely impose major cuts to health care next year, no pay increase and the elimination of protections for annual contract teachers. This means employees in VCS will pay much more for health care and will have less money to live off of and annual contract teachers (those with 7 years or less in Volusia) can be let go at the end of any school year without any reason, even with great evaluations."

Nancy Wait, Director of Community Information Services for Volusia Schools, has some information from the School Board.

The district proposed to the teachers' union an average raise of 4% starting on July 1, 2016, which is estimated to result in a raise of up to $2,240/yr, as well as a benefit of up to $500 per month for employee health insurance. The union rejected the proposal.

The granting of teacher tenure was abolished by the Florida legislature. The district simply cannot grant de facto tenure in violation of law. The union's argument is really against the legislature, not the local school district.

The meeting takes place at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 18, in the auditorium of DeLand High School at 800 North Hill Avenue.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2016.