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Teachers Union Hopes For State Rescue From Lost Wages

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By ADAM EMERSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 19, 2009

TAMPA - Hoping for relief from the state, the Hillsborough County teachers union asked school administrators today to delay decisions that could mean lost wages or lost jobs for hundreds of veteran teachers.

District officials are ready to notify about 200 teachers that their contracts won't be renewed for the next school year. These teachers all were hired on yearly contracts after they retired and remained at the top of the pay scale.

The alternative, administrators say, is to bring them back next year at the district's starting salary, $37,014. But the union would have to agree to that, and so far its leaders have rejected the proposal.

Yvonne Lyons, executive director of the Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association, asked the district to delay notifying these teachers of their contract status until April 20. The union has argued that lawmakers could find ways to generate money for schools and that it's premature to make painful budget decisions before the legislative session ends this spring.

On some matters, the district has agreed. Talk of unpaid furloughs was put off during contract negotiations Thursday, but senior administrators insisted the law forces them to more quickly notify teachers of their contract status.

Lyons maintained that bringing these veteran teachers back at a starting wage would create a dual salary system. Hillsborough County teachers could end up earning $25,000 less than a similarly qualified teacher hired from out of state, she said.

The district came up with its plan arguing that it can bring in replacement teachers at a lower pay rate, to which Lyons replied, "they won't have the experience, and they won't have the loyalty."

Administrators, however, say the stakes just got higher. State economists painted their darkest picture yet last week, saying they expect general revenue to be down about $1 billion this fiscal year and down $2 billion next fiscal year.

If the Legislature doesn't come up with more money, or if the federal stimulus package fails to shore up the school district's operating budget, the shortfall could mean a $233 million deficit in the Hillsborough County school system.

Reporter Adam Emerson can be reached at (813) 259-8285.

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