The 11th session of negotiations began with Terry Harmon, negotiator for the Martin County School Board, outlining the meeting’s context and noting that salary discussions had concluded earlier than in previous years. However, the primary focus soon shifted to the Western Zone’s request regarding supplements. The board maintained a firm stance of a $3,100 supplement, despite significant disagreement from the MCEA.

Representatives from the MCEA expressed frustration with the board’s insistence on a uniform supplement. They argued that there had been no significant outcry or requests from Western Zone employees for such a measure. One representative pointedly stated, “The most disheartening part about the district’s position is that we’ve combed through numerous school board meetings and…not one Western Zone employee has come to the school board and told them that that’s an issue on record.”

The MCEA proposed an alternative solution known as option one, which suggested a grandfathered Western Zone supplement of $275 for 20 employees hired before June 30, 2014. This proposal, which they estimated would cost approximately $26,400 and be covered by the existing raise pool, aimed to address inequities without requiring additional funds. They emphasized, “MCEA is not asking the school board to find any more money to address what we’re proposing.”

The MCEA maintained that the board’s position did not align with the actual needs or desires of the employees. They highlighted the absence of significant push from Western Zone employees for the board’s current stance.

In the broader context of teacher supplements, two primary options were presented. Option one relied on earmarked funds in the raise pool, while option two also used these financial resources but planned for additional supplements in subsequent years. The urgency of reaching an agreement before the October 1 deadline for state requirements was stressed, with the estimated cost for option two also identified as $26,400.

The conversation then acknowledged complications surrounding Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) numbers that many districts, including Martin County, were facing. Examples from other districts, such as Okobe County, were cited, where a salary agreement was reached quickly, and a 2% increase to all supplements was achieved despite challenges related to student enrollment and staffing.

A point of contention was the board’s use of executive sessions, with one side questioning the necessity of weekly sessions. Comparisons were made to other districts like Indian River and Okeechobee, where superintendents possess the authority to negotiate directly without board approval, allowing for quicker agreements.

The implications of not reaching an agreement by February were also discussed, with concerns that this would result in financial detriment to the members. It was argued that the board’s lack of authority to make decisions at the table hampers negotiations, leading to delays and unresolved issues.

The proposal of a deadline for completing negotiations was introduced. However, it was noted that for the past two years, ground rules proposed to facilitate these discussions had been rejected by the board. This led to accusations of hypocrisy regarding calls for accountability in the negotiation process.