FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Broward County Public Schools have reached an agreement with the county's teachers union regarding teacher compensation.
Last week, an impasse was declared between the school district and teachers union regarding salary increases. Many were worried that the process would take months, but Friday, a tentative agreement was finally reached.
"As a leader in public education, it is my goal to also be a leader in the fight to stop treating teachers like blue collar workers," said Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie.
The agreement was reached after four months of bargaining. The union and district were in dispute over where to allocate an additional $1.3 million, while more than 14,000 teachers in Broward County awaited their salary increases.
"Our teachers waited two-thirds of the year for the salary raise. There's no reason why it took this long to agree," said Sharon Glickman, president of the Broward Teachers Union.
Under the tentative agreement for the 2014/2015 school year, teachers on the grandfathered salary will receive an increase of $1,300, teachers on pay for performance who were rated highly effective will receive a 4.26 percent increase, and teachers rated as effective will receive 2.13 percent increase.
Starting salary for teachers on pay for performance will increase to $40,000.
If ratification is approved by the end of March, teachers will receive payment at the end of April.
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