348 Highway 190, Valparaiso, FL 32580
(850)678-5940 www.myocea.org Fax (850)678-0984
First Teacher's Association Online in Florida!
JULY 26, 2006
The teachers in Okaloosa County have reached a tentative contract agreement with the Okaloosa County School District that includes an average pay raise of 9.75 percent.
In June, teachers were granted their annual 3% annual step increase that will be received by approximately two-thirds of the teachers. Additionally, teachers with advanced degrees will notice a slight increase. With the combined step increase and improvements to the salary schedule, increases will range from 6.7 to 10.1%. The beginning salary for a teacher with a bachelor’s degree will now be $31,032, up $1,932.
Greg Butler, Director and Chief Negotiator for the Okaloosa County Education Association stated,
This increase is long-overdue to the outstanding teachers that have made Okaloosa County School District the best in the State. Undoubtedly, we have the best teachers in the State of Florida and we thank the School Board and Superintendent Gaetz for recognizing it.
In addition to the salary increase, new contract language will be added that includes time off for bereavement, taking sick leave hourly and extra pay for peer teachers.
President of OCEA, Sheila Olsen, said that the increase is one of the best the teachers have received. "We are thrilled to be able to start the school year off with good news like this. There are going to be a lot of happy teachers on Monday," she said.
Teachers report back to work on Monday, July 31.
The teachers will vote on August 10 to ratify the contract in order for the school board to approve it at the August 14 school board meeting.
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