Polk County Public Schools

School Board Approves Teacher, Paraeducator, Support Staff Contract

February 23, 2010

Contact:

Ron Ciranna, J.D.
Assistant Superintendent, Human Resource Services
Polk County Public Schools
863.534.0729

Mark Grey
Assistant Superintendent, Business Services
Polk County Public Schools
863.534.0542

José Farinas, SPHR
Director of Employee Relations, Human Resource Services
Polk County Public Schools
863.534.0731

The Polk Education Association (PEA), the union representing teachers, paraeducators and school support personnel, notified the school district on February 22 that they have ratified the tentative agreement that was reached on February 2.

Click here to view complete details on this agreement.

The agreement was approved by the school board at its February 23 meeting. The final tally as reported by the PEA to the school district was as follows:

Teachers:
For: 1,799 (58%)
Against: 1,289 (42%)

Paraeducators;
For: 688 (84%)
Against: 132 (16%)

Education Support Personnel:
For: 318 (84%)
Against: 59 (15%)

“We’re extremely pleased with the outcome and look forward to moving ahead for the betterment of our students,” said Ron Ciranna, J.D., assistant superintendent of human resource services. “In the wake of these economic times, we are happy to keep people employed and at the same implement a salary increase.”

The school district employs 6,571 teachers, 1,682 paraeducators and 606 support personnel.