Members of the Polk Education Association ratified a new contract with Polk County Public Schools late Tuesday. 

  • Teachers Union ratifies contract with Polk County Public Schools
  • New agreement to give teachers a 2-3.5 percent pay increase
  • Agreement to now go to school board for approval

Under the agreement, teachers in Polk County will receive a pay increase between 2 and 3.5 percent, retroactive to January 2017, based on years of service and evaluations. 

Paraeducators and educational support personnel will also receive an annual increase of 2 percent, retroactive to January 2017. 

The total cost of compensation is expected to be approximately $10 million. 

Polk Educatoin Association members ratified the agreement with nearly 100 percent approval. 

“I’m very pleased we have reached this resolution,” said Superintendent Jacqueline Byrd. “Our teachers, paraeducators and educational support personnel perform life-changing work for our students every day. We will never be able to pay them what they truly deserve. This agreement does move us forward, and it allows us, as one district, to put the period of impasse behind us and focus on our shared goal of delivering high-quality education to every student in Polk County.”  

The agreement PEA ratified Tuesday evening will now go to the School Board for approval. It will be included in the Jan. 23 School Board meeting agenda.