In a major victory for Lee County's dedicated support staff, the School District of Lee County and the Support Personnel Association of Lee County (SPALC) proudly announce they have successfully reached a comprehensive tentative agreement on contract modifications and compensation updates after productive negotiations.
This groundbreaking agreement represents a significant achievement that delivers substantial benefits and improvements for SPALC employees.
Highlights of the agreement include:
- 3% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for all SPALC employees
- Additional compensation for employees who have a higher level of experience
- New paid leave benefits:
- Up to 4 weeks (20 consecutive workdays) of paid parental leave to run concurrently with FMLA
- Up to 3 days of paid bereavement leave (not deducted from personal/sick time)
- Retroactive pay to the beginning of the contract year - payout TBD
- Terminal pay language revisions to align with state statute
- Experience credit: up to 10 years accepted for new hires
"We are thrilled to announce this exceptional agreement that truly recognizes the invaluable contributions of our support team members," said Superintendent Dr. Denise Carlin. "This comprehensive contract demonstrates our unwavering commitment to the dedicated professionals who play such vital roles in our educational system. These significant improvements in compensation and benefits reflect how much we value their service to our students and families."
Arlease Williams, President of SPALC, celebrated the successful negotiations. "This is a tremendous victory for our members and represents exactly what we hoped to achieve through collaborative bargaining. The substantial compensation increases, leave benefits, and comprehensive improvements show that both sides were committed to reaching an agreement that truly supports our workforce. We couldn't be more pleased with these results."
Next Steps & Key Dates:
- By September 9, 2025: SPALC employees will be notified of their new salary
- Opportunities to learn more: In-person and virtual meetings will be scheduled to review the agreement and answer questions
- Ratification Vote: Scheduled for September 24, 2025. SPALC employees will vote on whether to approve the tentative agreement
- School Board Approval: Tentatively scheduled for the October 7, 2025, Board Meeting
- Payout Date: Approved raises and retroactive payments will be issued on October 31, 2025
Both the School District of Lee County and SPALC are celebrating this tremendous achievement and the collaborative spirit that made it possible. This successful agreement sets a positive tone as both organizations look forward to a smooth ratification process and a continued strong partnership in delivering excellence for Lee County students and families.