Manatee Education Association

Welcome

Welcome to manateeea.org!

The Manatee Education Association -- your professional union -- is Manatee County's advocate for teachers and paraprofessionals. For many years we have stood together and spoken for quality education and for serving and protecting your best interests.

Educators are entrusted with the care and nurturing of our county's most precious resource: CHILDREN. Our lives are dedicated to the future of children and to the future of our community, our state and nation.

MEA brings together teachers and paras so that our voices can be heard and respected. As a member of MEA you support the only organization dedicated to representing your interests at the local (School Board), state (Legislature) and national (Congress) levels.

Thank you for your involvement and your choice to stand with your colleagues in Manatee County, Florida and throughout America.

Are you ready to join us? Learn

MEA Has Members Covered

Don’t be fooled by imitators who offer liability coverage only. Last year alone 17 members faced false allegations of child abuse requiring legal representation for criminal investigations (CPS), for defense of certificate (DOE) as well as for district investigations (OPS). In the last decade, there have been 0 members requiring liability coverage.

When it comes to coverage MEA along with its affiliates, FEA, AFT and NEA, has members covered in all areas of job related issues including legal, and it’s all included in the price of your dues.

Coverage includes but is not limited to:

Allegations of child abuse resulting in criminal charges
Ethics charges referred to the Department of Education
Questions of competency reflecting on job performance
Representation in disputes with school level administration
High dollar liability coverage

In addition, members have the benefit of:

An outstanding legal team with over 75 years of aggregate experience and a staff of full time attorneys who deal exclusively with members’ legal issues.
A network of labor lawyers throughout the state
MEA officers and staff to guide members through the process
No limitations on fees, hours or nature of the case

2021-2022 Negotiations

November 18, 2021 - On the evening of November 17, 2021 MEA and management bargaining teams met. There have been no agreements reached at this point. MEA responded to management’s proposals on payroll deductions for benefits and credit for experience on the teacher salary schedule. MEA presented an opening proposal on salary increases for teachers and paraprofessionals. In addition, MEA presented a proposal for payment for when a substitute is not available. Discussions continued about credit on the para salary schedule and paraprofessional positions that are difficult to fill.

The next bargaining session will be held December 1, 2021.

bargaining_111721.pdf

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November 2, 2021 - MEA and management bargaining teams met for the first bargaining session of the 2021-2022 school year on the evening of November 1, 2021. The scope of bargaining was discussed in that this is a full book. The District had issues that they wanted explored and are open for negotiations. Issues included a district budget update as reported to the school board, credit for experience on the teacher salary schedule, payroll deductions for benefits and paraprofessional issues related to positions difficult to fill in the para bargaining unit.

MEA requested additional data pertaining to all these issues.

Members of the MEA bargaining team include - Pat Barber (MEA), Linda Bryan-Beachler (Freedom), Kara Carney (Rogers Garden Bullock), Helen King (Bayshore Elementary), Brian Kirchberg (Braden River High), Melanie Newhall (Kinnan), Bruce Proud (Chief Negotiator), Marlyce Stringer (Tillman), Jon Syre (King), and Dawn Walker (MEA).

District bargaining team members include Tim Bargeron (SSC), Dan Evans (SSC), Wendy Mungillo (SSC), Bill Vogel (Chief Negotiator) and Doug Wagner (SSC).

The next bargaining session will be held December 1, 2021.

The minutes will be posted here on the MEA website once approved by both bargaining teams.

bargaining_110121.pdf

Mask Mandate with Optional Opt Out Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

August 17, 2021 – Click on the link below to read a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which reflects the working conditions under the Mask Mandate with the Optional Opt Out which was voted on by the School Board on August 16, 2021.

2021-2022maskmandatewithoptoutoptionsigned.pdf

21-22 Referendum Revenue and Expenditure Summary

August 6, 2021 - Click on the following link to read the Memorandum of Understanding between the Manatee Education Association and the School District of Manatee County regarding what the referendum supplement will be for the 2021-2022 school year. The referendum supplement payment will begin on the August 27, 2021 paycheck.

2021-2022referendummousigned.pdf

Amended Memorandum of Understanding - Millage Referendum for Teachers and Paraprofessionals

The amended referendum clarifies how much of teachers' outside the student day planning time management may use for meetings.

mougrievanceresolutionref.pdf