As a result of the new law, the School Board of Miami-Dade County at its June 17, 2009 meeting approved Board Item D-26 authorizing designated personnel to work beyond 10 months.  However, they also agreed to reduce salaries of all affected employees working a 250 day paid work year during a 12-month period by 3.85 percent effective July 1, 2009.   Impacted staff would not work five days during winter recess and five days during spring recess (for a total of 10 days) and would have their annual vacation accrual reduced by one-half vacation day.  As a result of the decision made by the school board, UTD was concerned that eventually this would also impact all 12 month non-instructional employees.

Faced with reality of the 2009-10 MDCPS Budget along with the threat of layoffs and the possibility of 12 month employees being converted to 10 month employees,  the 10-day work year reduction came closer to reality.    As a result, UTD did an on-line survey in August to receive feedback from our 12 month non-instructional members as to what the priorities were regarding this issue.

Based on the results of that survey and the lack of viable alternatives, UTD reached an agreement with MDCPS to modify the work year for 12-month Paraprofessionals, School Support Personnel and Clericals in the exact same manner as Administrators and Teachers were impacted in June.  The agreement on the MOU was reached prior to the settlement of the contract.  Ultimately, both items ended up on the agenda of the October School Board meeting.

Consequently, all full-time 12-month paraprofessionals, school support personnel and clerical employees will have the 2007-08 salary schedule (current schedule) and the 2008-09 salary schedule which takes effect on December 25, 2009 (with salary increases) reduced by 3.85 percent.  This will be reflected on the October 23, 2009 pay date.  Since the 12 month work year is retroactive to 7/1/09, small deductions in salary will be distributed in the remaining 18 paychecks of the fiscal year beginning with the paycheck of November 6, 2009.   

NOTE:  Twelve-month employees will also be paid back for the three days (loaned to the District in June 2009).  This will also be reflected on the October 23 pay date.  The re-payment is calculated based on the daily rate the employee received in June of 2009, not the new daily rate. 

UTD has been involved in negotiations to lower the impact on all UTD members in these tough economic times and will continue to do so.    In the most recent contractual agreement, MDCPS agreed to establish a Joint Task Force—The Paraprofessional/Clerical/Educational Support Professional Critical Issues Task Force to address ways to strengthen contract provisions related to critical issues such as  non-instructional personnel lay-offs.    Non-instructional personnel will serve on this Task Force.  Your continued support and input will only strengthen UTD’s ability to obtain better working conditions and benefits for you.