Volusia board ratifies support‑staff contract and approves 1% nonrecurring stipend for nonbargained employees
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Summary
The school board ratified a collective bargaining agreement with Volusia United Educators that includes a 2% raise, 1% stipend and paid bereavement leave for support staff; the board also approved a 1% nonrecurring stipend for nonbargained employees and trades/service professionals to be paid on a special payroll run.
The Volusia County School Board on Dec. 9 ratified a negotiated collective bargaining agreement with Volusia United Educators covering support staff for the 2025–26 fiscal year and approved a separate 1% nonrecurring stipend for nonbargained employees and newly represented trades and service professionals.
Union and district representatives outlined key terms of the support‑staff agreement, including a 2% wage increase, a 1% stipend, and paid bereavement leave. "We had many, many conversations at the table, but it was wonderful for all of us to come together and finally reach an agreement," said a union representative during the presentation.
Superintendent Carmen Balgobin recommended ratification so negotiated increases could be implemented promptly; board members emphasized the desire to get payments to employees quickly. Officials said the one‑time 1% stipend for nonbargained employees and trades/service professionals will be processed on a special pay run on Dec. 17 to align with other negotiated payments.
Board members thanked bargaining teams and staff for reaching the agreement and signaled ongoing work on job descriptions and classification to align duties and pay. The board then moved on to ceremonial signing of the agreement.
The actions will affect payroll and budgeting for the coming year; district staff said the special pay runs are intended to expedite payment of negotiated stipends.