Palm Beach County teachers may have to wait longer for a pay raise after Superintendent Michael J. Burke rejected an independent magistrate's recommendation for a 3.5% increase.
The decision now rests with the School Board, which will hold an impasse resolution hearing next month.
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Several teachers spoke with Zitlali Solache over the phone, saying they are extremely disappointed that the higher pay is on hold. Teacher union president Gordan Longhofer said teachers hoped the recommendation would move them closer to a deal.
"We’re very disappointed and we’re flabbergasted," Longhofer said. "They deserve to keep pace with the expenses they have to live here," he added.
WPTV has been closely following this impasse since November. The union initially asked for a 5% increase, while the district proposed a 1.5% recurring raise along with a 1.5% one-time bonus.
"We get that the amount that we’re asking for was a little high — the magistrate pointed that out. But he also pointed out that the magistrate said that what the district was offering was too low," Longhofer said.
Teachers say rising costs are making it harder to stay, even in an A-rated district. Some teachers were unavailable to speak because they are working second jobs. The magistrate believes the district can afford the 3.5% raise.
"Teachers are in this business for the outcome, not the income," Longhofer said.
"Teachers have done that job in Palm Beach County really well and I believe that they should be rewarded appropriately," Longhofer said.
Longhofer believes this could affect retention. "Maybe they’re better off looking somewhere else — and I think it’s literally the wrong path to follow," Longhofer said.
WPTV asked why the superintendent denied the raise request. Communications Chief Sean Cooley provided a statement Tuesday evening:
"The Superintendent will recommend the School Board reject the special magistrate's recommendation and instead adopt the School District's 3% salary package offer, consisting of a 1.5% recurring and 1.5% one-time salary increase for Palm Beach County Classroom Teachers Association bargaining unit members. Florida law gives the School Board authority to resolve the impasse in whatever manner it determines best serves the interest and welfare of the public. The Board can adopt the Superintendent's position, the special magistrate's recommendation, or any other resolution it deems appropriate. Because the School District did not accept the special magistrate's recommendation, an impasse resolution hearing is planned for May 6. That hearing is where the Board is expected to take final action on the impasse. After that, the School Board’s decision will be considered by the bargaining unit members.”
WPTV received an updated statement Wednesday morning, highlighting the district's position:
"Our position is that we cannot provide additional raises without making significant cuts to student services or laying off staff. We value our educators deeply and have a strong history of providing robust raises when funding allows. Please see the full statement on our position below:
The School District of Palm Beach County deeply values its educators. We understand the financial pressures our employees are facing, and we agree that teacher compensation is essential to retaining the talented teachers who make us an "A" rated school district.
Our latest offer for teacher raises was a 3.0% blended raise, consisting of a 1.5% recurring raise and a 1.5% one-time payment. Our budget is primarily determined by state funding and student enrollment. This year, the state provided only enough funding for a 0.6% teacher raise. At the same time, the School District is experiencing an enrollment decline of approximately 7,000 students, which directly reduces the funding available for compensation. Despite these significant financial constraints, the School District proposed a raise package that was five times what the state funded.
We agree that much more needs to be done by the State of Florida to improve teacher compensation, and we continue to strongly advocate for increased public school funding and teacher pay. The School District has a strong history of providing higher raises when the budget allows, and we were proud to offer a 10% raise package for teachers just a few years ago when state funding was more favorable."
Meanwhile, Longhofer hopes other board members will support the union.
"I expect that they’re going to do the right thing. We would hate to see them turn their backs on the teachers that they made commitments to support," Longhofer said.
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