ORLANDO, Fla. — Thousands of teachers in Orange County are waiting to hear what a mediator will say about their pay and healthcare for the upcoming school year. The teachers union and school district are deadlocked in contract talks and hope a special magistrate can resolve their differences.
Special Magistrate James Mastriani listened to 14 hours of arguments Thursday and Friday from district and union attorneys. He says that both sides can submit more briefings over the next three weeks, and after that he’ll make his recommendation for a new contract.
Leaders for Orange County Public Schools say a 23% increase in the district’s healthcare costs just this year shows how costs are skyrocketing. The district wants to raise premiums and deductibles for more than 12,000 teachers and 7,000 support staff for the coming school year to help balance its healthcare budget…