Teacher salaries at Brevard schools increase by 3.5%; 0.5% marked for performance bonuses

Brevard Public Schools teachers returned to work Friday , hours after learning they would be receiving raises.

The school district and the Brevard Federation of Teachers union reached an agreement Thursday giving instructional staff a guaranteed 3.5% raise. The agreement also gives another .5% increase for pay-for-performance incentives.

In addition, the starting salary for new teachers increases to $50,450. The previous starting teacher salary was $48,725.

“We are thrilled that our BPS teachers will start school with negotiations completed,” said Megan Wright, school board chair. “Our board has worked very hard to hear the voices of our teachers and make sure that all our staff knows how much we love being a part of the same team.”

Brevard teachers’ base salary increases with new agreement

The new agreement also reflects the millage approved by Brevard County voters, which helped with base salary increases.

For example:

• A Highly Effective 20-year teacher previously earning $60,000 will now see a salary increase to $70,269.
• A Highly Effective Teacher previously earning $50,000 will now earn $52,070, including the pay-for-performance bonus.
• An Effective Teacher previously earning $50,000 will now earn $51,990, including the pay-for-performance bonus.
• A Highly Effective Teacher previously earning $60,000 will now earn $62,420, including the pay-for-performance bonus.
• An Effective Teacher previously earning $60,000 will now earn $62,340, including the pay-for-performance bonus.

Anthony Colucci, president of Brevard Federation of Teachers, expressed gratitude to the community for approving the millage and to district staff for working toward an agreement.

“We’re really please that BPS offered this competitive salary increase this year,” Colucci told FLORIDA TODAY. “We know their budget is tight, and we’re excited they extended themselves to recognize the work our teachers are doing.”

The agreement also incorporates insurance plan changes including employee contribution increases of 10% for the Gold Plan participants, 5% for the Silver Plan and several plan design changes.

BPS, teachers union come a long way since negotiations started

At the first bargaining session back in May , the district offered teachers a 1.07% salary increase. A lack of funding was cited as the reason for the low offer.

BFT came to the bargaining table requesting a 12.7% salary increase. That figure was based on inflation and the average salaries of teachers in other districts like Indian River, Orange and Seminole counties.

Brevard employed 5,467 full-time instructional staff members during the 2022-2023 school year, according to the state Department of Education.

BPS teachers started preplanning Aug. 2, while students return to the classroom Aug. 12.

“We were really excited to get the news out before the start of preplanning, and this is coming off the news that we’re an A school again,” Colucci said. “I think we’re off to a great school year for our students.”

Education Reporter Finch Walker contributed to this report.

Michelle Spitzer is a Trending Reporter. She can be reached at MSpitzer@Floridatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Teacher salaries at Brevard schools increase by 3.5%; 0.5% marked for performance bonuses