Teachers in Collier County Public Schools (CCPS) are now receiving more money in their paychecks thanks to successful negotiations that started in May 2024. The new Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Collier County Education Association (CCEA) and the District School Board of Collier County provides an increase for all teachers on both the performance and grandfathered salary schedules. Teacher salary increases for school year 2024-25 add up to $24 million across the entire unit and total more than $50 million in the last two years.
Setting the Pace Statewide Without Increasing Taxes
The new starting salary for CCPS teachers is $57,000, and compensation for many new teachers will surpass that amount thanks to supplements and validated experience credit of up to 18 years. At the time of this agreement, the base pay of $57,000 for CCPS teachers ranked second highest out of Florida’s 67 school districts. Monroe County (the Florida Keys) ranked higher at $62,100 for starting teacher salaries.
Collier’s position at the top of Florida’s salary ranking is unique because these increases are happening without having to increase local taxes. Most Florida counties (more than 40 out of 67) have tax-increase referendums to pay for educational needs in their communities. Many Florida school districts have both a sales tax and an ad valorem tax. CCPS is currently in year four of a tax-neutral referendum, which was passed overwhelmingly by voters in 2020. The CCPS Tax-Neutral Referendum was included on the 2024 general election ballot; however, the results are unknown at the time of this writing. It provides the school board with the flexibility to shift funding from capital to operating to support high-quality staff and academic outcomes.
With the updated agreement, the average CCPS teacher salary is now $74,271. More than 90% of CCPS full-time teachers earn more than $60,000 annually. The salary band with the most CCPS teachers is between $70,000 and $80,000, with 35% of all teachers in the unit.
Highlights from the School Board-approved Agreement
$3,000 added to the base salaries for all employees in the CCEA Bargaining Unit (all teachers and other positions specified in the contract) regardless of salary schedule
Plus, a step increase for grandfathered salary schedule members ($1,320 for a Bachelor’s degree; $1,500 for a Master’s degree)
Plus, a one-time $2,000 supplement for highly effective grandfathered salary schedule members
Plus, three (3) incremental steps for all effective performance salary schedule teachers for a total of $1,320
Plus, seven (7) incremental steps for all highly effective performance salary schedule teachers for a total of $3,080
The salary increases have an effective date of July 1, 2024. Eligible instructional employees received salary increases and retroactive pay on their November 1, 2024, paycheck.
Performance Incentive Payment
Just in time for the holidays, CCPS teachers also received a $1,000 bonus. The district dedicated funding saved by reallocating a percentage of the CCPS Strategic Reserve for an incentive payment for all employees in the CCEA Unit. Eligible CCEA instructional employees received the one-time supplement of $1,000 on November 15, 2024.
Bargaining representatives from the district wish to thank everyone involved in this process for their commitment to retaining and recruiting staff who inspire students to achieve academic excellence.
For additional background on CCPS Labor Relations, please visit collierschools.com/LaborRelations
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