Teachers in Volusia County want a 4 percent pay hike, the president of the county's teachers' union said Tuesday.

But the school district said there is no money in their reserves, so there won't be any pay raises this year. Volusia County school officials added they are actually in the hole by $6 million because of previous raises using nonrecurring funds from reserves.

Andrew Spar, president of the Volusia Teachers Organization, said the school district's plan to increase reserve funds calls for teachers to pay more than $100 more per month for insurance they currently have.

Spar said some teachers even have to fork out as much as $400 more per month based on the district's plan.

District officials said savings for the school district would amount to about $13 million, which would bring reserves to healthy levels.

"We absolutely believe what they're proposing is a pay cut," Spar said. "They're taking money out of one pocket and handing it off to the other, but it's going to be a less amount."

The school district said it would use those reserves to fund future pay raises.

"I don't think we can look at it as a pay cut," said Nancy Wait, with Volusia County Schools. "We have to find a recurring source to offer pay raises. So, the first year is going to be very difficult, but it will be a plan that provides us with recurring money that we can provide raises in the future."

Because the school district told the union they would be giving pay raises in future years, the teachers' union took a survey asking teachers if they trust the school district, and if they trust the school board.

Of 1,200 respondents, only eight teachers — or two-thirds of 1 percent — said they trusted the school board. Only 24 teachers — 2 percent — said they trusted the school district.

Negotiations are ongoing, with the next round of talks scheduled for Wednesday.

Full Survey Results

Preliminary results, out of 1,213 respondents
Source: Volusia Teachers Organization

  • What is your job role?
    • Instructional - 1,113
    • Office Specialist - 47
    • Paraprofessional - 51
  • How informed do you feel about what is happening in our district?
    • Very informed - 587
    • Somewhat informed - 533
    • Not too informed - 80
    • Not informed at all - 14
  • Do you receive the Solidarity Report each week?
    • Yes - 1,167
    • No - 47
  • Do you trust the information from VTO/VESA?
    • Yes - 1,041
    • Kind of - 155
    • Not Really - 16
    • No - 2
  • Do you know who your Steward/Building Rep is?
    • Yes - 1,120
    • No - 94
  • Do you feel valued by the district and school board?
    • Yes - 20
    • Kind of - 124
    • Not Really - 405
    • No - 665
  • Do you trust the school board?
    • Yes - 8
    • Kind of - 147
    • Not really - 387
    • No - 672
  • Do you trust the District?
    • Yes - 24
    • Kind of - 204
    • Not really - 380
    • No - 606
  • Will you be willing to attend an upcoming bargaining session?
    • Yes - 762
    • No - 452
  • Should we hold a rally at an upcoming School Board Meeting?
    • Yes - 1,065
    • No - 149
  • If we hold a rally at the December 8th School Board meeting, will you attend?
    • Yes, and I will bring someone with me - 126
    • Yes - 177
    • I will do my best to get there - 666
    • No, I cannot make that meeting - 184
    • No, I am not interested in attending any rallies or school board meetings - 61
  • What are you willing to do right now? (Check all that apply)
    • Send letter to School Board Members - 533
    • Attend a school board meeting - 613
    • Stop giving up my duty free lunch w/o pay - 547
    • Communicate with parents about what is happening - 369
    • Participate in Social Media - 337
    • Talk with colleagues and ask them to get involved - 647
    • Stop giving up my time after school w/o pay - 805
    • Cancel field trips that go beyond the work day - 329
    • Set my email with an auto reply - message that you are only available during the work day  -492
    • Work to the Contract - 883