Special Magistrate Sides with School District in Impasse Ruling

(Bradenton, FL - July 15, 2008) Special Magistrate Robert C. McHenry of Lakeland ruled in favor of the Manatee County School District in The matter of Impasse Between the School Board of Manatee County and Manatee Education Association. The ruling was filed with the State of Florida´s Public Employees Relations Commission (PERC) and received by the Manatee District on July 14, 2008.

In his ruling, Special Magistrate McHenry wrote: “Teachers in the Manatee School System have earned and received significant pay increases during the past 5 years and now rank above comparable teacher groups in the nearby communities. The need to cut the budget by $21.5 millions has been created by the state legislature. Because 86% of the Board´s General Fund constitutes payroll, salaries must be cut in order to balance the budget for the 2008-2009 School Year. The Superintendent and the Board have taken a leadership role by reducing their own salaries by 5% before asking other groups to contribute. Management personnel have had their salaries reduced by 2%. All other non-union employees as well as employees represented by AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees) have had their salaries reduced by 1%. MEA is the only group of employees who have not yet suffered a salary reduction.”

Special Magistrate McHenry also noted: "The school districts in the State of Florida are facing a serious dilemma because of State budget cuts. The reduction in sales tax income is the current driving force behind the financial problems."

In light of the “serious dilemma” facing school districts in Florida, Special Magistrate McHenry commended the School Board, district leadership, AFSCME and other employee groups for working together to balance the budget as required by law. On page 7 of his ruling, Special Magistrate McHenry questioned the MEA´s refusal to cooperate in those efforts with the following statement:

“All other units, represented or non-represented are contributing 1% of their salary in one form or another. It is hard to believe, with such a strong commitment to education that the MEA appears to have, that the teachers would be reluctant to make a similar commitment.”

Unless the Manatee School District or MEA specifically reject the Special Magistrate´s ruling, in whole or in part, within 20 days of receipt, the ruling is deemed to be approved.

A copy of the Magistrate´s ruling in PDF can be FOUND HERE. 679K File

For additional information, please contact Margi Nanney at (941) 650-8378.

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