Pay Raise Approved For Paraeducators, Clerical Personnel In Polk

POLK COUNTY, FL — Pay raises for paraeducators and educational support (clerical) personnel have been approved by a Polk County School Board vote Monday, a news release said.

A two-year agreement with the Polk Education Association (PEA) union regarding salaries and health care benefits for these two groups has been reached. PEA members ratified the agreement Monday, and school board members approved it Tuesday during the meeting.

The PEA also represents teachers, and negotiations are still underway regarding teacher contracts.

Highlights of the new contracts for paraeducators and educational support personnel include:

• Paraeducators and educational support personnel will receive a minimum two percent raise over their current salary level.
• The minimum base salary for paraeducators and educational support personnel will now be $11 an hour.
• For the 2021-2022 school year, eligible employees will advance one salary level.
• Raises are retroactive to July 1, 2021.
• Employees should begin seeing their raises in their paychecks later this month.
• For the 2022-2023 school year, eligible employees will advance one salary level.

The contract also addressed health care coverage for these employees through the school district’s self-funded health plan, according to officials.
Employees will not incur any additional costs for their coverage under the 2022 Health Plan (Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2022).

There is no monthly health insurance premium for an individual employee. As in previous years, there have been costs for covering family members; however, the monthly premium costs will not increase in 2022.

Click here to review the complete agreement from today’s meeting agenda.
Employees can request more information by contacting Human Resources at 863-534-0781 (option 2) or hrcallcenter@polk-fl.net.