Manatee district, union reach agreement

Manatee County Public Schools and the local teacher's union, the Manatee Education Association, have reached a tentative agreement on salary, benefits and working conditions for local teachers and paraprofessionals.

The agreement for the 2009-2010 contract year was signed May 19 after six days of negotiations working with a federal mediator.

The agreement includes a step movement on the salary schedule as required by the contract, restoration of salary (1%) for those at the top of the salary schedules, no change in cost or benefits in health insurance and changes to the language governing pay dates.

Changes in language to teachers' contracts also deals with voluntary transfers, the addition of a teacher planning day and the addition of an annual contract lane for people who start work after July 1.