Polk Education Association President's Query: Pay Raise or Bonus

Published: Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at 12:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, February 19, 2013 at 12:01 a.m.

BARTOW | Marianne Capoziello, president of the Polk Education Association, has previously said she was concerned about Gov. Scott's proposal being a one-time bonus deal. If it is a pay raise he is proposing, she wants to hear how it will be sustained in future budgets.

"They need to find a steady stream of funding of education," Capoziello said. "We're hearing that a lot of legislators are pushing back."

Interim Superintendent of Schools John Stewart told the Tiger Bay Club of Polk County last week he hopes the state legislature will back Scott's proposal.

After the School District approved pay raises for teachers last year, School Board members have discussed where they could cut $15 million to $18 million from the district's budget to cover teachers' salaries for the 2013-14 school year.

Step increases on the salary schedule were approved in the fall. Base salaries for first-year teachers increased from $35,000 to $35,750. A teacher who entered his or her fifth year with the district in August currently earns $36,273. The "step" increases that salary to $38,750. Teachers will receive additional compensation for advanced degrees.

Source: http://www.theledger.com/article/20130219/news/130219319

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