Teachers, school psychologists, and other instructional staff in Orange County Public Schools overwhelmingly approved a new union contract last week delivering 4 percent raises for most teachers, with $2 million in additional funds set aside for paying longtime teachers and educators with advanced degrees.
Under the new collective bargaining agreement, approved by 91 percent of union members who voted, the starting salary for teachers will rise to $50,000. For school psychologists, minimum pay will rise to $58,410.
The agreement offers 4 percent raises for teachers who are rated “highly effective” by the district — representing roughly 90 percent of teachers, as of last year — or a raise of 3.01 percent for teachers rated “effective.” A union representative confirmed that less than one-third of union members participated in the ratification vote…