Dozens of teachers and paraprofessionals in Citrus County held a demonstration on Tuesday evening to demand improved pay for teacher's aides and additional paid holidays. The protest occurred outside the district's headquarters as the local teachers union and school district face stalled contract negotiations.
Members of the Citrus County Education Association (CCEA), the union representing the educators, gathered before moving inside to address the school board directly during its public meeting. The demonstration highlights a significant disagreement over compensation, particularly for the district's lowest-paid support staff.
Key Takeaways
- Teachers and paraprofessionals in Citrus County protested for better pay and benefits.
- Negotiations between the Citrus County Education Association and the school district have reached an impasse.
- The union is requesting a 3% raise for all staff and an additional paid holiday for support personnel.
- The district maintains it is ready to continue negotiations, while the union claims it was "blindsided" by the impasse.
- Future negotiation sessions are scheduled to address the dispute.
Educators Rally for Fair Compensation
On Tuesday evening, educators lined State Road 44 outside the Citrus County School District building. Dressed in red shirts, they held signs with messages such as, “More than praise, we need a fair rai$e,” and “Do I need to use my teacher voice? ESPs deserve a raise!” The protest was organized by the CCEA after contract talks with the district broke down.
The central issues in the dispute are annual raises and benefits. The union's proposals focus heavily on improving conditions for paraprofessionals, also known as teacher's aides, and securing holiday pay comparable to neighboring school districts.
After demonstrating outside, the group of educators entered the district headquarters to voice their concerns during the public comment section of the regularly scheduled school board meeting. Several teachers and support staff members spoke directly to the board, urging them to reconsider the district's position.
Disagreement Over Negotiation Status
Inside the meeting, Superintendent Scott Hebert addressed the school board, stating that the district had not abandoned the negotiation process. He assured the board that the district's team was willing to resume talks to find a solution.
“Our bargaining team remains prepared to return to the table to work towards a resolution towards all economic and language proposals,” Hebert told board members.
However, this characterization was contested by union members. Teacher Victoria Smith, speaking on behalf of her colleagues, expressed surprise at the district's recent actions.
“When the district declared impasse a week ago, our members were blindsided,” Smith said. “We had bargained in good faith every step of the way, as we have for 50 years, we are still ready to bargain.”
Understanding a Bargaining Impasse
In labor negotiations, an impasse is a point where two sides are unable to reach an agreement. When an impasse is declared, it often means that a third-party mediator or a special magistrate is brought in to help resolve the dispute. The process is governed by state labor laws and is a formal step indicating a significant breakdown in communication between the union and the employer.
Details of the Union's Demands
The Citrus County Education Association has outlined specific requests aimed at addressing the rising cost of living and disparities with other districts. Union organizers stated they are seeking a 3% across-the-board increase for all returning employees to help keep pace with the consumer price index.
A key focus of the union's proposal is providing equitable raises for the district's lowest-paid educational support professionals (ESPs), including paraprofessionals. Many speakers argued that without a significant raise, these employees would effectively experience a pay cut due to inflation.
Holiday Pay Disparity
According to the CCEA, support staff in Citrus County currently receive only one paid holiday. In contrast, surrounding counties reportedly offer their school support staff six paid holidays. This difference is a major point of contention in the ongoing negotiations.
Kim Hudson, the executive director of the CCEA, provided further details on the district's last offer. She explained that the proposed raise for teachers amounted to approximately $443 per year, while offering nothing for paraprofessionals.
“Surrounding counties have 6 paid holidays,” Hudson reiterated. “Citrus County has one.”
Next Steps in Negotiations
Despite the current stalemate, both sides are scheduled to meet again soon. The district and the union have planned an all-day negotiation session for this Thursday to address the unresolved issues.
Another bargaining session is also on the calendar for the following week, on Tuesday, October 20. These upcoming meetings will be critical in determining whether the two parties can find common ground or if the impasse will require formal mediation to resolve.
The outcome of these negotiations will directly impact the compensation and working conditions for hundreds of teachers and support staff throughout the Citrus County school system for the current academic year.