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Sarasota News Leader October 18, 2013 Page 74 SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES 3.25-PERCENT RAISE FOR TEACHERS, STAFF During its regular meeting on Oct. 15, the School Board of Sarasota County approved contracts with the Sarasota Classified/ Teachers Association that includes a 3.25-percent salary increase for the 2013-14 fiscal year. The increase will be funded primarily by $6.3 million from the state, which the Florida Legislature mandated for that specific purpose, the release points out. "The School Board will add $1.5 million to that amount to allow all employees to receive a 3.25-percent The contracts and raises, which were ratified raise." by instructional employees and classified (support) staff, are retroactive to the start In the event the Legislature does not continue of the district's fiscal year on July 1, a dis- the special salary appropriation, the salary trict news release says. Ninety-seven percent schedules will be reduced by 3.25 percent in of the approximately 3,100 employees who the future, the release says. voted approved ratification of the contracts, The parties also agreed to restore the amount the release notes. "As it traditionally does, the of life insurance for employees to $50,000. It School Board extended the raise to schoolhad been reduced to $25,000. based and district administrators. It is the first across-the-board increase in the salary sched- The increase was negotiated with a new ules for district employees in five years," the insurance provider at no additional cost to release adds. the School Board, the release notes. BOOTS TOP BADGES IN ANNUAL COUNTY BLOOD DRIVE Crews from the Sarasota County Fire Department and municipal fire departments around the county have won this year's annual Boots and Badges Blood Drive to aid Shriner's Hospital. those tickets to Sarasota Sahib Shrine for its raffle to benefit the Shriner's Children Burn Unit, the release adds. The Shriner's Children Hospital burn unit in Galveston, TX, received $290 from the proThe winning team claims the Boots and ceeds of the tickets. Badges trophy until the following year, along "The Boots and Badges Drive not only genwith "bragging rights and the heartfelt thanks erated good will and much needed blood for from the thousands of people needing blood," the community, but also provided additional a county news release says. This year, the win- assistance by the donation of these tickets," ning team also received 20 tickets to a Tampa said Capt. Susan Pearson of the Sarasota Bay Rays baseball game. The Boots donated County Fire Department in the release. Take Your Time You Have All Week Enjoy The News Leader Anytime - Day or Night