May 24, 2021
The DTU Paraprofessional Unit Bargaining Team has already negotiated and ratified a three-year salary agreement for 2020-2021, 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 with the DCSB. The 2020-2021 salary increase has already been distributed to Paraprofessional Unit employees. DTU and the DCSB have been in negotiations to provide the Paraprofessional Unit employees additional funds in the form of supplements for the 20-21, 21-22 and 22-23 school years. The supplements are in addition to the three-year salary agreement already in place.
A supplement is not a salary increase. It does not go on the salary schedule, but it does count as salary for the year in which it is received for retirement purposes. The normal individual tax rates will apply to the supplements as well as the cost of retirement benefits (18.59%). The Tentative Supplement Agreement will need to be ratified by the Paraprofessional Unit employees.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Paraprofessional Unit 2020-2021, 2021-2022, and 2022-2023
Supplement Tentative Agreement
The Paraprofessional Tentative Agreement between DTU and the Duval County School Board will provide paraprofessional employees a supplement* of $750 for the 2020-2021, 2021-2022, and 2022-2023 school years. This supplement will be in addition to the salary increases already negotiated.
*A supplement provides additional money in the pockets of employees without being placed on the salary schedule. It is not recurring money but counts as salary for retirement for the year in which it is received. Normal individual tax rates will be applied to the supplement as well as the 18.59% cost for retirement benefits.
Eligible Employees:
All employees in the DTU Paraprofessional Bargaining Unit shall be eligible for the supplement. Employees must be actively employed in a Paraprofessional position at the time the supplement is disbursed.
Compensation:
A seven hundred and fifty-dollar ($750) supplement for the period of July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021 shall be paid retroactively for the school year. Employees who began employment in a DTU Paraprofessional Unit position will receive supplements as follows:
- 2020-2021: DTU Paraprofessional Unit employees employed after July 1, 2020 will receive a prorated supplement beginning from their start date. The supplement shall be a one-time $750 payment.
- 2021-2022: DTU Paraprofessional Unit employees for the period starting after July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022 will receive a pro-rated amount of the supplement beginning from their start date. This supplement shall be $750 spread across the employee paychecks.
- 2022-2023: DTU Paraprofessional Unit employees for the period from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 will receive a pro-rated amount of the supplement beginning from their start date. This supplement shall be $750 spread across the employee paychecks.
- DTU Paraprofessional Unit employees must be employed with the district on each of the supplement disbursement dates to receive the part of the supplement due, including the date any retroactive payment is made.
The Ratification Process: ________________________________________________________
DTU mailed a synopsis of the Paraprofessional Supplement Tentative Agreement to all Paraprofessional Unit employees via the U.S. mail. Enclosed in that mailing is a ratification ballot. Paraprofessional employees must complete and return the ballot indicating whether or not they agree to the Tentative Agreement in order for it to be implemented. The ballot may be mailed or taken, in person, to the DTU office. If you don’t receive a ballot, you must come in person to the DTU office (1601 Atlantic Blvd.) to pick up a ballot. A picture ID will be required to receive the ballot.
The completed ballot is to be received at the DTU office by June 2, 2021 at 12:00 noon.
Supplement Tentative Agreement Email:
DTU has sent an email to the DCSB email addresses of all Paraprofessional Unit employees in order to present the Supplement Tentative Agreement. The economic package tentatively agreed to, is outlined in the email. The email does not include a ballot or opportunity to vote on the Tentative Agreement. That is done through the U.S. mail process already explained. Please read the email Tentative Agreement before completing your ballot.
Ballots will be counted at the DTU office on June 2, 2021 at 12:30 p.m. If and when ratified (approved) by a majority of completed Paraprofessional Unit ballots, the Tentative Agreement must be approved by the Duval County School Board. Failure to ratify will result in a return to the bargaining table.