TALC Contract

TALC Contract - Frequently Asked Questions

Article 10.06 (Changes in Compensation)

1. Is there a change in compensation as a result of ratification and Board approval of the FY24 TALC Collective Bargaining Agreement?

Yes, eligible employees will receive an increase in compensation effective July 1, 2023.

See More:  FY24 TALC Collective Bargaining Agreement

Contact:  Compensation & Labor Relations

2. What changes in compensation are available as part of the FY24 TALC Collective Bargaining Agreement?

Minimum Base Salary

Effective November 7, 2023 the District adopted a starting salary schedule with a minimum base salary of $50,000.00 for instructional staff, excluding Special Instructional Staff who will receive a minimum base salary of $57,510.00.

Performance-Based Pay

Instructional staff who are Annual Contract status and employed by the District at the time of ratification and payment will receive an increase in base salary of $667.00 if they received an FY23 Final Performance Evaluation Rating of "Highly Effective" and $500.00 if they received an FY23 Final Performance Evaluation Rating of "Effective". Instructional staff who are Professional Service Contract status or Continuing Contract status and employed by the District at the time of ratification and payment will receive an increase in base salary of $500.00 if they received an FY23 Final Performance Rating of "Highly Effective" or "Effective". Instructional staff who did not receive an FY23 Final Performance Evaluation Rating or who received a rating of "Needs Improvement/Developing" or "Unsatisfactory" are not eligible for a performance-based increase.

Career Ladder Movement

All instructional staff who are employed at the time of ratification and payment are eligible for the FY23 Career Ladder Movement and will receive an increase in base salary of $1,000.00.

Retention Percentage Increase

Eligible classroom and non-instructional employees who are employed by the District at the time of ratification and payment will receive a retention percentage salary increase effective July 1, 2023 and will be paid based on Creditable Years of Experience (Years X) as outlined below:

  • Employees with zero (0) years X will receive a 3.65% increase.
  • Employees with one (1) to four (4) years X will receive a 5.5% increase.
  • Employees with five (5) to nine (9) years X will receive a 8.5% increase.
  • Employees with ten (10) to fourteen (14) years X will receive a 9.5% increase.
  • Employees with fifteen (15) to nineteen (19) years X will receive a 10.5% increase
  • Employees with twenty (20) or more years X will receive an 11.5% increase.

See More: FY24 TALC Collective Bargaining Agreement

Contact:  Compensation & Labor Relations

3. Was there any change to Instruction During Missed Planning with the FY24 TALC Contract?

Instruction During Missed Planning procedures can be found in the FY24 TALC Collective Bargaining Agreement.

See More: FY24 TALC Collective Bargaining Agreement

Contact:  Compensation & Labor Relations

4. Who is eligible for the increases available with the FY24 TALC Contract?

Instructional staff employed by the District on the date of ratification and payment are eligible for the salary increases included in the FY24 TALC Collective Bargaining Agreement.

See More:  FY24 TALC Collective Bargaining Agreement 

Contact:  Compensation & Labor Relations

5. Are salary increases in the FY24 Collective Bargaining Agreement retroactive?

The salary increases for FY24 (2023-2024 school year) are retroactive to July 1, 2023.

Article 10.05 (Compensation - Pay Delivery)

6. How do I see my salary prior to the salary increase of the FY24 TALC Collective Bargaining Agreement?

Your salary prior to the increase of the FY24 TALC Contract is listed on your paycheck stubs that can be accessed in PeopleSoft. The navigation path to access this information is: Employee Self Service > Payroll and Compensation > Employee Current Compensation. 

See More: PeopleSoft

Contact:  Payroll

7. When will I see the changes in compensation on my paycheck?

Changes in compensation for FY24 (2023-2024 school year) will be reflected on the December 15, 2023 employee's paychecks.                   

See More: PeopleSoft                                               

Contact:  Payroll

8. What information is available on the PeopleSoft Employee Current Compensation page?

The PeopleSoft Employee Current Compensation page contains: Contract Salary Data and Earnings, Creditable Years of Experience (Years X), District Years of Experience (Years D), Non-consecutive years of District Service (Years L), Salary Plan, Pay Group, Standard Hours, Supplement Earnings, and Projected Balance of Contract Amounts.

See More: PeopleSoft

Contact:  Payroll

9. How do I access the PeopleSoft Employee Current Compensation page?

The navigation path to the PeopleSoft Employee Current Compensation page is:  Employee Self Service > Payroll and Compensation > Employee Current Compensation. 

See More: PeopleSoft

Contact:  Payroll

10. How do I access employee pay information on PeopleSoft?

Navigation path: Employee Self Service > Payroll and Compensation. Select the applicable menu option My Paycheck, Salary Supplement Request, etc.

11. What if I was on a leave of absence during FY24 (2023-2024 school year)?

If you were on a leave of absence during FY24 (2023-2024 school year), you are eligible for the salary increases in the FY24 TALC Collective Bargaining Agreement; however, your annual salary will be adjusted to reflect the amount of time you worked during FY24 (2023-2024 school year).

Contact:  Staffing & Talent Management

12. How do I calculate my base rate of pay (hourly rate)?

The formula for calculating your base rate of pay (hourly rate) is:  Base Salary / Days Worked / Hours Per Day.

Contact: Payroll

13. Will the proposed changes to the Starting Salary Schedule impact current employees?

Yes, salary increases (“true-ups”) are being applied to any employee who is below the starting salary.

Article 10.02 (Salary Schedules)

14. How do I know if I am on the Grandfathered Salary Schedule or Performance Salary Schedule?

Employees can find out which salary schedule they are on by visiting the PeopleSoft Employee Current Compensation page.

Instructional staff with Continuing Contract status or Professional Services Contract status are on the Grandfathered Salary Schedule.

Instructional staff with Annual Contract status or Probationary Contract status are on the Performance Salary Schedule.

See More:  To find your Salary Schedule - see your Current Compensation page in PeopleSoft

Contact: Payroll

15. What does it mean that instructional supplements are indexed?

Instructional supplements are indexed, which means that they are no longer a fixed dollar amount, but are instead a percentage of the minimum base salary for instructional staff. This prevents instructional supplement amounts from remaining stagnant since the amount paid will increase any time that the minimum base salary increases, unless negotiated otherwise.

See More: FY24 TALC Collective Bargaining Agreement 

Contact:  Compensation & Labor Relations

16. What locations are identified as Turnaround Schools and eligible for the Turnaround School Supplement for FY24 (2023-2024 school year)?

In accordance with Florida Statute 1012.22, effective July 1, 2023, instructional staff assigned to schools that received a grade of "F" or "D" for the prior school year will be eligible for the Turnaround Schools supplement in the amount of $4,000.00.  The Turnaround School Supplement will remain in effect for at least one (1) year following improvement in the school grade. A supplement of $4,000.00 is available for all instructional staff assigned to District identified Turnaround Schools, including: Fort Myers Middle Academy, Franklin Park Elementary, Tice Elementary, East Lee County High, Colonial Elementary, Edgewood Academy and Island Coast High for FY24 (2023-2024 school year). A supplement of $4,000.00 is available for all instructional staff assigned to Florida Department of Education (FL DOE) identified Turnaround Schools, including: G. Weaver Hipps Elementary and Manatee Elementary.

See More:  FY24 TALC Collective Bargaining Agreement 

17. What locations are identified as Transition Schools and eligible for the Transition School Supplement for FY24 (2023-2024 school year)?

A supplement of $2,000.00 is available for all instructional staff assigned to Ray V. Pottorf Elementary, James Stephens Elementary, Mirror Lakes Elementary, Orange River Elementary, and Sunshine Elementary for FY24 (2023-2024 school year).

18. What locations are eligible for the Special Center School Supplement?

Effective July 1, 2021 a supplement of $4,000.00 is available for all instructional staff assigned to Buckingham Exceptional Student Center, Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) locations, Young Parent Education Program, Royal Palm Exceptional Center, and Success Academy.

19. How do I know if a supplement will count toward the Participation Requirements for Career Ladder Movement?

The TALC Collective Bargaining Agreement includes language that allows instructional staff to know in advance if a supplement they’ve applied for will count toward completion of the Participation Requirements for Career Ladder Movement. Special Instructional Supplements do not count toward completion of Career Ladder Requirements, since they are tied to an individual's regular position. Updates to the Career Ladder page on PeopleSoft will allow individuals to see their progress toward completion of the requirements for Career Ladder Movement, including the Participation Requirements.

See More: FY22 TALC Collective Bargaining Agreement, PeopleSoft

Contact:  Compensation & Labor Relations

Article 10.01 (Experience Credit)

20. How can I find out how many Creditable Years of Experience (Years X), District Years of Experience (Years D), and Non-consecutive Years of District Service (Years L) I have?

Creditable Years of Experience (Years X), District Years of Experience (Years D) and Non-consecutive Years of District Service (Years L) can be found on the PeopleSoft Employee Current Compensation page.

The navigation path to the PeopleSoft Employee Current Compensation page is:  Employee Self Service > Payroll and Compensation > Employee Current Compensation. 

See More: PeopleSoft

Contact: Staffing & Talent Management

21. What is the difference between Creditable Years of Experience (Years X), District Years of Experience (Years D), and Regular Permanent Position (Years L)?

Creditable Years of Experience (Years X) are the years of experience creditable towards salary when an employee begins a position paid in accordance with the instructional salary schedule at the time of hire.  These years increment each year-end (fiscal year) for active instructional staff who have worked at least one day more than half of the scheduled work year in an instructional position.

District Years of Experience (Years D) are the years of teaching within The School District of Lee County recorded for instructional staff with Professional Services Contract, Continuing Contract, Annual Contract, or Probationary Contract status.  These years increment each year-end (fiscal year) for active instructional staff who have worked at least one day more than half of the scheduled work year in an instructional position.

Regular Permanent Position (Years L) are the years of experience within The School District of Lee County recorded for all staff in a regular permanent position. These years increment each year-end (fiscal year) for active staff who have worked at least one day more than half of the scheduled work year. Years start at zero for new hires and employment does not have to be continuous.

Contact: Staffing & Talent Management

22. Is there a deadline to submit a work experience verification form in order to receive Experience Credit?

Yes, instructional staff will receive payment retroactive to their date of hire if experience credit is approved within the first 120 calendar days of their employment. Instructional staff must submit a work experience verification form within the first two years of their employment with the District in order to be eligible for Experience Credit.

Special Instructional Staff will no longer receive salary credit for the submission of work experience.

See More: FY24 TALC Collective Bargaining Agreement

Contact: Staffing & Talent Management

23. I left the District and recently returned. Am I eligible for a Return to Rate of Pay?

In order to be eligible for a Return to Rate of Pay, you must have been re-hired in the current contract year, and your separation from the District must be within the required time frame.

See More:  FY24 TALC Collective Bargaining Agreement

Contact: Staffing & Talent Management

Article 5 (General Employment Practices)

24. What is being done to address changes in Florida Statute that prohibit Districts from offering automatic renewal of Highly Effective and Effective employees with Annual Contract status?

The FY24 TALC Collective Bargaining Agreement includes contract language concerning Probationary Contract status and Annual Contract status to ensure employee needs are met and the District is in compliance with Florida Statute. The language clarifies expectations for reappointment and non-reappointment recommendations, including outlining the process for an employee to request a review of non-reappointment recommendation.

See More:  FY24 TALC Collective Bargaining Agreement

Contact:  Island Coast FEA (TALC)

25. Does the District do anything to support employees with prior military experience?

The FY24 TALC Agreement includes language to inform employees of legal requirements concerning Veteran’s Preference in employment.

TALC and the District are reviewing options and interests related to allowing employees to bring in Military Experience for salary credit.

See More:  FY24 TALC Collective Bargaining Agreement

26. Does the District provide any protections for victims of domestic or sexual violence?

Yes, the FY24 TALC Collective Bargaining Agreement includes language to protect employees and to allow for leave and other accommodations to be made.

See More:  FY24 TALC Collective Bargaining Agreement, Employee Assistance Program

27. Does the District do anything to support employees who are nursing mothers?

The FY24 TALC Agreement includes language to inform employees of legal protections that exist for nursing mothers. The District offers additional support for nursing mothers and those who are expecting through Employee Wellness programs

See More: FY24 TALC Collective Bargaining Agreement, Employee Wellness programs

28. Does the contract address Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)?

Yes, the FY24 TALC Collective Bargaining Agreement includes language clarifying expectations for PLC meetings.

See More: FY24 TALC Collective Bargaining Agreement

Article 8 (Performance Evaluation)

29. What rating did I receive on my FY23 (2022-2023 school year) Final Performance Evaluation?

Information about your Performance Evaluations is available to all instructional staff on PeopleSoft. The navigation path to review prior year evaluations in PeopleSoft is:  Employee Self Service > Performance Management > Evaluation Employee Select.

Contact: Staffing & Talent Management

30. What opportunities do instructional staff have to get involved in decision making?

The TALC Labor/Management Committee meets to discuss recommendations for bargaining related committee appointments and to determine the schedule for committee meetings for FY25 (2024-2025 school year).  Recommendations by both TALC and the District will be considered; however, TALC has discretion in determining TALC appointed members.

The schedule for bargaining related committee meetings and information from these meetings are posted on the District’s website. Contact TALC if you are interested in serving on a TALC bargaining related committee.

See More:  FY24 TALC Collective Bargaining Agreement

Contact:  TALC (Island Coast FEA) or Compensation & Labor Relations

31. Where can I find more information about FY24 Bargaining?

All of the minutes from FY24 TALC Bargaining are posted on the Compensation & Labor Relations page. Joint Communications and the TALC Contract Information Session are also posted on this page.

See More:  Negotiation Materials

Contact:  Compensation & Labor Relations