- September 16, 2024
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Volusia County Schools and Volusia United Educators Support have reached a settlement regarding pay and benefit increases, the district announced on Tuesday, Aug. 27.
The agreement includes a salary package valued at $1 million, an increase in health insurance contribution from $565 a month to $605, a 50-cent per hour pay increase for speech paraprofessionals and an increase in translation supplement from $100 to $500, according to a press release by the school district.
“We are pleased to have reached an agreement with VUE Support that reflects our commitment to our staff members who are critical to the operations of our district and the outcomes of our students,” Superintendent Dr. Carmen Balgobin said. “Not only does this contract provide a well-deserved pay increase, but it also demonstrates our efforts to ensure the health and well-being of our employees through an increased health insurance contribution. Thank you to our employees, School Board, partners, community members and VUE for their continued support of VCS.”
The agreement is tentatively scheduled to be ratified during the week of Sept. 16, with the goal to present it to the Volusia County School Board for approval on Sept. 24.
"This truly was a collaborative partnership between both entities coming together to make life better and to provide improvements for our support personnel," VUE President Elizabeth Albert said at the School Board meeting Tuesday evening.
The increased contribution toward health insurance premiums is going to make a difference, she added.
The School Board also unanimously approved a 3% salary increase for school-based administrators at its meeting.
"Sometimes we have to wait a long time to get this so I'm glad that we're able to do that sooner rather than later for our school-based administrators," School Board member Ruben Colon said.
The board additionally approved a 3% pay increase for non-bargaining employees at level 10 and above.
Both groups will see their pay increases in their Sept. 30 paycheck, and then all non-bargaining employees, regardless of level, will receive their retroactive pay on their Oct. 15 paycheck.
