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Highlands Today

BREAKING NEWS: Teachers, District Reach Tentative Agreement

18-MONTH CONTRACT WOULD TAKE EFFECT DEC. 1

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By MARC VALERO | Highlands Today

Published: October 10, 2007

SEBRING — The Highlands County School District and the teachers union reached a tentative agreement Wednesday on an 18-month teachers contract.

The school board and the Highlands County Education Association concluded negotiations with a tentative agreement on contract language and salary, according to a joint press release from Superintendent Wally Cox and Union President Steve Picklesimer. This completed a process that began in June and was postponed for several months due to the state's special legislative session on budgetary issues.

The tentative agreement calls for a multi-year salary/benefit increase which, if approved by teachers, would take effect Dec. 1, 2007 and conclude June 30, 2009.

The ratification process will begin with area meetings in the three municipalities and conclude with a vote by teachers on Nov. 2 at all area school sites.

A federal mediator assisted with Wednesday's negotiations. A previous mediation attempt on Aug. 16 failed to break the deadlock on the main issue – teacher salaries.

Negotiators for the school district and teachers typically reach a tentative agreement during the summer with teachers approving the contract soon after they return for the new school year.
The press release did not specify a percentage increase in salaries and benefits.

Picklesimer said he requested withholding the salary information because of a change in which the agreement was made – an 18-month contract – instead of the typical 12-month contract.
Picklesimer said he will explain the details at the area meetings with teachers.

"I would rather have our membership understand the whole package before we start talking about the numbers," he said.

The Educational Support Personnel Association, which represents the district's non-instructional employees, is waiting for a tentative agreement on the teachers' contract before starting its own negotiations with the district.

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