Teachers vote overwhelmingly for contract

Staff Report

Wakulla Classroom Teachers voted last week overwhelmingly to approve the contract for the 2012-13 school year.
The vote was held Thursday, Aug. 9, the day teachers returned to the classroom, with 98 percent voting yes.
 WCTA President Missy Rudd said there were 308 yes votes, 5 no votes, 1 abstention, and 1 challenged vote that could not be counted.
The  new salary schedule and a $200 bonus will be reflected in teacher’s August paychecks.
“On behalf of the Wakulla Classroom Teachers Association, thank you for voting so efficiently on the first day of the school year,” Rudd told her members. “And thanks again to Superintendent (David) Miller and the school board for moving teachers salaries in a positive direction.”
Superintendent Miller said the agreement is a “fiscally responsible, fair contract that enables Wakulla County to remain competitive in attracting and retaining a high quality teaching staff.”
Miller commended the school board for their leadership during the economic downturn.
“We have all been determined and focused on ways to save dollars,” Miller said. “Little by little those savings added up.”
The contract includes a step pay increase, as well as increased health insurance coverage and a $200 bonus.
“This School Board has worked really hard over the past couple of years, to position the district fiscally, to be able to provide teachers and employees with an actual step increase raise this year. I hope and pray that our district has weathered the worst of the economical storm and that we can start seeing the much needed funding restored in education in the state. Our School Board truthfully believes that the reason this district maintains the distinction of a High Performing School District is the quality teachers, administration and support staff and it is important that we continue to invest in the best.