School Board: Teacher pay cuts not retroactive

The Manatee County School Board today announced the salary reduction for teachers previously approved will not be retroactive to July 1, 2011.

During an executive session Monday night, board members discussed retroactive salary cuts, and although the school district believes it is on solid legal footing to implement retroactive cuts, the Manatee Education Association disagreed.

Board members have agreed however that it is in the district's best interest to avoid potential litigation and the School Board directed Superintendent Tim McGonegal to make salary decreases effective Feb. 16.

As a result, the average teacher pay reduction will be 30% less than originally anticipated. School Board members on Monday also directed McGonegal to ensure all employee groups are treated fairly in light of the decision.

"The decision by the School Board eliminates uncertainty for our employees and brings the issue to close," McGonegal said.

Because teacher pay cuts approved in July provided funding to bring the School Board's health insurance fund in the black this June, the board now will have to address the issue in its 2012-13 fiscal year budget.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].