Standing together in support and for students, more than 125 members of the Volusia Teachers Organization held signs and protested on International Speedway Drive Tuesday night.
The teachers and administrators are protesting a recent impasse from the district regarding teacher contracts, an impasse that was made by the Volusia County school district and sent out via email last week while students and parents were on Spring Break and was a surprise to many.
“We just need them to know they can’t forget us. We need them to help us,” said Carol Colucci, who has been a teacher in Volusia County for more than 20 years.
Tuesday night the school board met at Mainland High School as part of what they call a “Goodwill Tour” – a meeting and introduction to parents and the community.
The president of the Volusia Teachers Organization, Andrew Spar said the title of the tour is misleading.
“We want to know goodwill to whom? The employees in this district, the students in this district we believe are being shortchanged,” said Spar.
Teachers are upset, saying the district is not taking time to meet with the organization to talk about contracts. Therefore a special magistrate will be called in to hear both sides.
“It’s absolutely not true that the superintendent will not meet with VTO. What he can’t do is discuss negotiations,” said district spokeswoman Nancy Wait.
Teachers want a 5 percent raise for the first year, followed by an additional 3 percent raise for the following year. That's 8 percent over two years.
The school district, however, is offering to raise beginning teacher pay by $1,500, and raise other teachers by $750.
The 2014-2015 school year ends June 3 and both sides hope to have an agreement reached by then.
The Volusia Teachers Organization said protests will coincide with the district’s four other goodwill meetings scheduled around the county.
The next meeting and protest will be April 7 at Pine Ridge High School in Deltona at 6:30 p.m.