Teachers in Miami-Dade County are facing the possibility of losing out on raises due to the school district’s financial obligations to charter schools, according to a report by NBC Miami. The unexpected financial hit stems from a $179 million settlement that the Miami-Dade school district must pay to charter schools.
“They should give us the raises we deserve and they should treat us properly,” Karla Hernandez-Mats, president of United Teachers of Dade, told NBC Miami. Hernandez-Mats recently informed teachers about the looming financial strain in a letter.
As a result of this settlement, the union warns that the district will implement significant cuts, including:
- $33 million from student devices
- $10 million from IT infrastructure
- $20 million from capital improvements
- $20 million from funds intended for teacher raises.
These cuts come despite referendums passed by voters in 2018 and 2022, which were designed specifically to fund teacher raises. United Teachers of Dade (UTD) and the district are currently negotiating salary and benefits for the upcoming school year.
In response, Miami-Dade School Superintendent Jose Dotres stated during a bargaining session that there are no referendum funds available for teacher raises this year. However, school board member Robert Alonso reassured that teachers will not be affected by the debt.
“This is not impacting our teachers. Our teachers and all of our employees are still our priority in making sure that we enhance their salaries, as well as their health benefits,” Alonso told NBC Miami.
The district reiterated this stance, stating, “The $179 million payment to charter schools will not prevent the District from enhancing teacher salaries. We are currently engaged in the collective bargaining process to address teacher compensation and healthcare benefits across the District.”
As negotiations continue, many educators remain concerned about the potential impact on their pay and benefits.
This is a Hy-Lo News Staff Report.
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