MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — The Manatee County School District has reached a tentative agreement with the county education association. 

The agreements are for teacher and paraprofessional contracts. 

“I think it reflects a spirit of collaboration and it is a sign that we continue to move forward together,” Superintendent Cynthia Saunders said. “We want to support all of our employees and this is an important way to show our gratitude to our teachers and paraprofessionals for all of their hard work and accomplishments.”

As of right now that agreement includes: 

Teachers' Salary Schedules: 

  • 3 level movements for teachers on the Grandfathered Salary Schedule
  • 3 level movements for teachers rated Highly Effective on the Performance Salary Schedule
  • 2 level movements for teachers rated Effective on the Performance Salary Schedule

Longevity: 

  • All teachers who have completed 16/25 years of experience as of June 30, 2018 will receive longevity payments of $2,100 for those who have completed 16 years and $3,600 for those who have completed 25 years. 
  • *This applies to teachers who have worked 99 days or more in the previous work year.

Paraprofessionals' Salary Schedules: (teacher aides, teacher assistants, lab managers, behavior techs, etc.)

  • 2 steps on the salary schedule for all eligible paraprofessionals
  • Paraprofessionals at the top of the salary schedule will receive the equivalent of a 2 step increase
  • *This applies to paras who have worked 99 days or more in the previous work year

All salary schedule adjustments are retro-active to July 1, 2018.

“Both sides worked hard to find common ground to reach this agreement,” said MEA President Pat Barber. “The fact that this agreement will be retroactive to July 1, 2018, is an important factor for our members.”

There are no plans to change health insurance benefits in the new agreement. 

These plans are tentative and a discussion on finalizing these plans will happen later this month.