Although the new school year is less than one month away, a new contract between Orange County Public Schools and the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association remains elusive.<\/p>\n
The district and teachers union this year have remained at odds over salary increases and health care costs.<\/p>\n
The two sides met Thursday, July 9, and Friday, July 10, in a special magistrate hearing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
At the hearing, OCPS officials presented its latest proposal, released July 1. This proposal includes a salary increase of 2.65% for Highly Effective and 1.98% for Effective teachers based on performance; TSIA salary increases for eligible teachers with 10-plus years of public-school teaching experience in Florida; similar compensation enhancements to about 1,818 additional instructional employees, including media specialists; an employee-only zero-cost premium health care plan option; a $750 one-time supplement if an agreement is reached by July 22; and a $4,000 recurring salary increase and a $4,000 one-time supplement for eligible current speech-language pathologists.<\/p>\n
The proposal totals more than $43 million in compensation investments, including benefits, district officials said.<\/p>\n
However, OCCTA officials said the salary increases aren\u2019t enough and health care costs are not unsustainable.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Under the district\u2019s new hybrid insurance proposal, OCPS teachers\u2019 deductibles would increase from $400 to $3,000. For a family, it would increase from $800 to $6,000. OCCTA officials proposed to reduce this increase to $800 and $1,600, respectively.<\/p>\n
In total, including premium and deductibles, it would cost around $22,988 for a family to be insured under OCPS\u2019 hybrid plan, OCCTA officials said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is the use of health insurance if educators avoid care because they can\u2019t afford to use it?\u201d OCCTA President Clinton McCracken said. \u201cOur teachers love serving students in Orange County \u2014 they chose this profession because they believe in the promise of public school. But too many are leaving because they can\u2019t afford to stay any longer.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
With the increase in deductibles and premiums, McCracken said teachers have no choice but to leave the profession.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cEducators shouldn\u2019t have to choose between their paycheck and their health,\u201d he said. \u201cOrange County deserves schools that attract and retain great educators, (and) that starts with fair pay and affordable health care.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
OCPS Superintendent Dr. Maria Vazquez said Florida\u2019s health care costs are experiencing some of the fastest increases in the country, and while the district has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to offset rising health care costs, it simply is no longer sustainable.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She said without an agreement, the district could be required to allocate nearly $20 million per month to maintain the current health care plan.<\/p>\n
In response to the proposed salary increases, the OCCTA is asking for a 3% raise for effective teachers and a 4% raise for highly effective ones.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In total, OCCTA proposed counteroffer totals $131.7 million \u2014\u00a0more than triple the cost of OCPS\u2019 latest proposal.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe district reaffirmed its July 1 proposal, which it believes represents the strongest compensation package it can responsibly sustain while maintaining the long-term financial stability necessary to continue investing in competitive salaries, affordable health care and the educational programs that support student success,\u201d OCPS officials said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
To help offset the rising health care costs, OCPS will make an annual contribution of $11,611 per employee, an increase from $10,555.\u00a0<\/p>\n
With a deadline of Wednesday, July 22, OCCTA and OCPS must move quickly to find an agreement to avoid having the district allocate up to $20 million per month just to maintain its current health care plan.<\/p>\n
Ultimately, however, it\u2019s the Orange County School Board that will make a decision regarding negotiations.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThey need to demand answers,\u201d McCracken said. \u201cThey need to stand with our teachers, not bureaucracy.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The special magistrate will review the testimonies and evidence both sides presented before issuing its findings, facts and recommendations to the School Board.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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