School District and Teachers Union Agree on Raises

BRADENTON – If teachers and the Manatee County School Board approve an agreement between the district's negotiator and the Manatee Education Association, teachers will see a $1,750 raise this year. It would be their first pay increase in four years. The two parties agreed on a tentative contract late Monday night, while negotiating the state-funded teacher raises.

While Governor Rick Scott touted $2,500 "across the board" raises for every teacher in the state, districts were given a lump sum amount from which to decide with their boards and unions how to disperse the funds. Manatee Schools says it will use the entire $6.3 million in its allotted state funding in paying the agreed upon raises, which also include a $381 salary increase for teachers aides.

Next, teachers will vote on the proposed contract. If approved, the contract will go before the Manatee County School Board for a final vote.