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Hillsborough schools to bring back veteran teachers for less pay

News Channel 8 file photo

The district and the union also tentatively agreed to rehire newly retired teachers at the starting pay rate, a spokesman says.

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By ADAM EMERSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 12, 2009

TAMPA - Hillsborough County school administrators and teachers union leaders have tentatively agreed to bring back about 130 veteran teachers who initially were told they weren't coming back in the fall.

The teachers had been working on yearly contracts after they retired and had been earning salaries at the top of the pay scale. In March, the district told them their time was up.

As the state's economy darkened, negotiators for the school district said they could no longer afford these veterans and said they could save nearly $4 million by hiring replacements.

Today, Deputy Superintendent Dan Valdez said the administration is willing to bring them back at a lower salary – or the fifth of 27 salary steps. That rate of pay was unavailable this morning.

"These are absolutely superb teachers who we do not want to leave," Valdez said.

The district and the union also tentatively agreed to rehire newly retired teachers at the starting pay rate, Valdez said.

Members of the Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association and the Hillsborough County School Board still have to approve the plan.

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

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