Pasco board approves salary and benefit increases after bargaining-unit ratifications

The Pasco County School Board voted to approve multiple salary and benefits items after bargaining units ratified tentative agreements, the board announced during its meeting.

United School Employees of Pasco reported that members approved the SRP contract changes with a 93.25% yes vote and approved the instructional contract with an 86.89% yes vote, United School Employees representative Jeff Larson said. Larson told the board that, if approved, the referendum increase would appear in employee paychecks beginning Nov. 7, the negotiated raise would appear in paychecks beginning Nov. 21, and retroactive pay would be issued on Dec. 12.

Board members moved and seconded the measures and approved them by voice vote. The board first approved administrative and non‑instructional salary and benefit increases (agenda item 16.1) and then approved the instructional and SRP economic packages, salary supplement schedules, and contract language changes (agenda item 16.2).

Board members praised the negotiating teams for reaching agreements and acknowledged broader pressures on health insurance costs. Board member Beaudoin said compensation for recruitment and retention remained a board priority and thanked voters for supporting the referendum that helps fund compensation. Board member Wright noted the difficulty posed by rapidly rising health insurance costs and asked staff to provide more detailed cost breakdowns for future years. Superintendent Dr. Legg thanked the bargaining teams and said the district will work to mitigate cost pressures in 2025–26.

The motions passed by voice vote. The board did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript.