SOUTH TALLAHASSEE, FL \u2014 Leon County Schools is navigating two ongoing conversations \u2014 teacher salary negotiations and potential budget cuts. <\/p>\n
WATCH REPORT BELOW: <\/p>\n
TEACHER SALARY INCREASES: LCTA look to negotiate again with District ahead of impasse hearing<\/p>\n
Salary negotiations between Leon County Schools and the Leon Classroom Teachers Association are ongoing, with the union hoping to reach an agreement before an impasse hearing.<\/p>\n
The district recently offered a one-time, 1% bonus for teachers during negotiations \u2014 a figure that Scott Mazur, president of the Leon Classroom Teachers Association, brought back to his members for a vote.<\/p>\n
“So we did the vote and we had, of the folks that voted, 98% said, this isn’t good enough. We, you know, we’d rather go to impasse as it is right now,” Mazur said.<\/p>\n
Despite the vote, Mazur said the association remains hopeful a new deal can be reached before an impasse hearing.<\/p>\n
“So we’re looking forward to maybe another bargaining date to have a counter proposal that is a little more aligned with what people are expecting,” Mazur said.<\/p>\n
The Superintendent was not available for comment Friday. <\/p>\n
Superintendent Rocky Hanna previously said they are hopeful they can avoid an impasse to focus efforts on getting a millage increase on the ballot in November specifically for teacher salary increases, <\/p>\n
Meanwhile, budget cut conversations are also continuing at the district level. Mazur sent a letter to the School Board asking them to create a comprehensive structural efficiency plan including examining district operation costs, transportation costs and cost-per-program.<\/p>\n
“How do we make it more efficient? Is there a different way to do it to reduce costs so that we’re getting more out of that particular process?” Mazur said.<\/p>\n
At Tuesday’s School Board meeting, Board Member Alva Smith highlighted the letter and raised the idea of holding a workshop to discuss the plan.<\/p>\n
“To have it as a bundled package so we can, you know, we can say to our community, listen, we’re doing everything that we possibly can,” Smith said.<\/p>\n
The district has rolled out a website<\/a> with suggested budget cuts, including reducing interventionists and funding for arts and athletics, totaling almost $7 million.<\/p>\n “Let’s now rally together on behalf of our teachers and our support staff that are working with students each and every day to make a difference in their lives,” Hanna said earlier this month. <\/p>\n Hanna has also previously said the District has cut millions of dollars at the district level and has another $1.5 million laid out as an option to be cut for the next school year.<\/p>\n Some school board members wanted more clarity. <\/p>\n “So I think what I’m trying to say is that there’s a really specific thing in here that’s wanted by a school board member. It should be said clearly rather than these broad terms, because if this were my assignment, I kind of wouldn’t know where to start,” School Board Member Roseanne Wood said.<\/p>\n Other board members said that while they support some analyses, they noted some of the work is already underway.<\/p>\n “I am interested in the cost per program and the ROI framework. I’m really, really interested in that. I have been talking about, you know, specific programs that may or may not serve relevance for our students. And right now we are doing a CTE audit. I think that CTE audit may cover some of this that we’re currently doing,” School Board Member Marcus Nicolas said.<\/p>\n Mazur said LCTA is waiting on more information from the district about next steps and to see whether or when an impasse hearing will be scheduled.<\/p>\n This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.<\/p>\n WATCH FULL REPORT BELOW:<\/p>\n Want to see more local news? Visit the WTXL ABC 27 Website. <\/a><\/p>\n Stay in touch with us anywhere, anytime.<\/p>\n Like us on Facebook<\/a><\/p>\n Follow us on Instagram <\/a>and X.<\/a><\/p>\n