Santa Rosa teachers reject new contract

The Santa Rosa County School District teachers rejected the proposed contract revisions for the 2016-17 school year. The ratification vote was held Sept. 5-6 and 85 percent voted to not accept the revisions.
 
“We are pleased with the results of the ratification vote,” said Rhonda Chavers, President of Santa Rosa Professional Educators. “The District’s employees do not buy the story that the District can’t afford the fair and reasonable settlement proposal recommended by the Special Magistrate at impasse. This rejection of the District’s proposed contract sends that message to the Superintendent and the School Board loud and clear.”
 
According to Florida law, since the contract was not ratified by all parties, the School Board’s contract imposed at their Aug. 10 legislative hearing shall take effect as of that date with respect to the salary revisions only. The language revisions proposed by the District will not take effect due to the failure of ratification.