TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

School Contract Negotiations Stall

ADVERTISEMENT

By RONNIE BLAIR

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 20, 2008

LAND O' LAKES - Pasco County School District employees might not know until at least late October whether they will get raises and their annual step increases.
United School Employees of Pasco reported Friday that contract negotiations stalled this week because district negotiators want to wait until after the October student head count to discuss any possibility of raises.

That count is used by the state to determine how much funding the district receives. School district officials say enrollment is running about 1,000 students below what was projected, which could cost the district about $4 million.

The union and district negotiators met Wednesday and Thursday, but made no progress, according to a union report. Terry Rhum, the district's employee relations director, couldn't be reached for comment Friday.

The union reported that its negotiators suggested several areas where the district might find money for raises, including the reserve fund.

On Tuesday, the school board approved a $1.2 billion budget despite pleas from an overflow crowd of school employees. The employees wanted the board to reject the budget because it didn't include raises or the annual step increases given to employees based on years of service.

The board could amend the budget if raises are agreed to in contract negotiations, but the employees were skeptical that will happen.

Reporter Ronnie Blair can be reached at (813) 948-4218 or rblair@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT