Pinellas County (Fla.) middle school teachers will get an additional $800 each

More than 1,400 Pinellas County (Fla.) middle school teachers will receive about $800 each as part of a $1.1 million settlement over a suit filed by the teachers union. An arbitrator had ruled that the district violated the teachers' contract when it lengthened the middle school day by 14 minutes and added an additional period. The teachers have been working the additional period since August without added pay. The teachers' contract stipulates that they teach no more than five periods in a seven-period schedule.
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REACTION: In the end, Pinellas County school officials say they got what they wanted after a contentious months-long battle with the teachers union: an extra period for middle school students and $1.1 million in savings.But getting there involved violating the teachers' contract, going before an arbitrator, defending a lawsuit, and reaching a settlement in favor of the teachers last week.So, was it worth it? Union officials say the district's unilateral actions have devalued and demoralized its work force. To read The St. Petersburg Times article, click here.

FROM JANUARY 2009: The Pinellas County (Fla.) teachers union has sued to force the school district to abandon a seven-period middle school schedule that the union says violates the teachers' contract. The suit asks the court to uphold an arbitrator's order that the district return to the old six-period day this semester. District officials say reverting to the old schedule would be too disruptive.
To read The St. Petersburg Times article, click here.

EARLIER: The Pinellas County (Fla.) teachers union and the school district are in a serious standoff over a new seven-period schedule for middle schools. Superintendent Julie Janssen says she will not return to the old six-period day when the second semester starts Jan. 20, even though an arbitrator has ordered the district to do so. If Janssen goes through with her plan next week, the union plans to sue the district.To read The St. Petersburg Times article, click here.