The Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) and Broward Teachers Union (BTU) have announced tentative contract agreements for the Educational Professional bargaining unit represented by the BTU.
The tentative contract agreements represent the shared commitment of BCPS and the BTU toward ensuring every student receives the best possible education in safe and secure learning environments.
The Broward teachers will receive higher salaries under the new contract. Most teachers will receive an across the board 2.16% base salary increase; Pay for Performance Highly Effective educators will receive a 2.17% salary increase; and Pay for Performance Effective teachers will receive a 1.6% salary increase for the fiscal year 18/19 effective from January 1, 2019.
They will also receive referendum supplements ranging from $2,300 to $8,000 effective July 1, 2019. Referendum funding will be available for the bargaining unit all four years of the Referendum (2019/20 – 2022/23) at the same level negotiated in the 2018/19 re-opener. Specific distribution of referendum amounts will be negotiated each year.
Also, the District will reopen negotiations for 2019/20 for any additional increase as soon as the legislature finalizes its budget deliberations.
The District will continue to pay 100% of the cost of health insurance for employee-only coverage throughout 2019. Thereafter, the District and BTU will work collaboratively to implement cost effective improvements to the plan.
There will be improvements to the teachers’ evaluations. The School Board and Teachers Union agreed to adjust all three components of the evaluation system for the 2018/19 school year, which will result in a higher percentage of Highly Effective teachers and afford them a better opportunity to earn Best and Brightest awards.
“The dedication of our teachers and instructional staff is evident each and every day in their efforts to ensure our students receive a world-class education to prepare them for their futures,” said Superintendent Robert W. Runcie. “The School Board and I are excited to reach the tentative contract agreements and commend both negotiating teams for their efforts during negotiations.”