From the Executive Director. . .

Welcome back to school!  I have a feeling this school year is going to be anything but boring. The upcoming elections in August and November are critical to public education.   It is imperative that public educators know each candidate's position on public education and vote accordingly, regardless of party affiliation. The outcome of the Governor's race will be critical in determining the path of public education for the next four years. Will teachers lose their tenure?   Will charter schools become the golden boy in state legislators' eyes?    Know each candidate’s positions on public education issues!

The August 24 ballots will include two School Board seats filled as well as the school District's referendum for a one-half cent sales tax.  OCEA members can visit the members-only section of our website to view Okaloosa-PAC's endorsements and recommendations. Along with candidate recommendations, they have recommended passage of the sales tax referendum.   Our School Board voted last winter to place the sales tax question on the ballot instead of raising the millage to increase local funding. If approved, everyone will pay the sales tax in Okaloosa, but the millage increase would only affect property owners.  If the referendum isn't passed by voters, the District will be forced to increase millage rates and consider additional cuts in personnel and services. The District will be forced to take money out of the general fund (the fund for salaries/benefits) to pay for necessary capital improvement projects.

Negotiations

Your Negotiations Team has met with the District over the past six weeks.  Although not much has been settled, the dialogue remains cordial.  We did agree to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Associate Teacher Program. A like-program was started in St. Johns County last January as a way to meet class size and save a few dollars.  We feel we have worked out a better agreement because our program is for the 2010-11 school year only (unless both OCEA and the District agree to extend).  Most importantly, our program is voluntary.   If there is a need for an Associate Teacher on a grade level or subject area, a current teacher must volunteer to be a Lead Teacher to take on the Associate Teacher and the students above class size. In addition, the District may not involuntarily transfer teachers to get a volunteer. Simply put, if no one volunteers, the Associate Teacher Program will not be available to that principal. You may find the MOU and a FAQ document on myocea.org.  Click the "Negotiations" button on the left side of the page.  Don’t say yes until you know the facts.

The financial outlook is getting bleaker due to the negative impact on property values and sales tax collections due to the oil spill. We have not asked for the step to be implemented yet in order to see how factors in August change the budget outlook.    Remember, paying the step is contractual because our language states teachers will be paid for each year of experience on the salary schedule.  We also mentioned at the table that we will be looking for an increase for employees at the top of the pay schedule.  We will meet again after the beginning of the school year. 

The state winners of the second round of Race to the Top should be announced the first part of August.  If Florida is awarded the funds, it still remains to be seen if Okaloosa, a high performing district, will receive any funding.  

Again, welcome back to a new school year.  If you need our assistance, please don't hesitate to call.  Our office hours are 8:30 - 5:00 Monday - Thursday and 8:30 - 4:00 on Friday.  The office is closed for lunch from 12:30 - 1:30.   (850) 678-5940

Greg Butler, Executive Director

greg.butler@floridaea.org