District Newsroom

Volusia County Schools Reaffirms Commitment to Employees While Maintaining Fiscal Responsibility

Volusia County Schools came to the bargaining table prepared to have a meaningful discussion about compensation and remains committed to attracting and retaining high-quality employees.

The district has identified approximately $6 million in recurring funding for its proposal to Volusia United Educators (VUE), a commitment that required difficult budget reductions in other areas. These are not unused dollars, but funds redirected from existing priorities.

The district has also demonstrated a willingness to address employee concerns by offering paid parental leave as part of the bargaining process. In response, VUE submitted a counterproposal that includes a 1% cost-of-living adjustment, excluding first-year teachers. The union has estimated the proposal would cost approximately $7.2 million; however, the district believes the actual cost may be higher and is conducting its own analysis to determine the full financial impact.

It is also important to understand that the district's fund balance is not a pool of available cash that can be used to support ongoing salary increases. Of the district's $83.8 million fund balance, $5.9 million is nonspendable, $19.6 million is restricted, $28.8 million is assigned for specific purposes, and $26.8 million is reserved to meet the School Board's required 5% emergency reserve. After those obligations are accounted for, only about $2.7 million remains above the required reserve. Additionally, fund balance is intended for one-time needs and financial stability, not recurring obligations that must be funded year after year.

Likewise, encumbered funds are already committed to contracts, services, purchases, and other obligations that the district is required to pay and cannot simply be considered available funding.

When the district gave the example of having to terminate contracts that have already been signed, VUE President Elizabeth Albert said, “That’s up to you.”

As negotiations continue, the district remains committed to good-faith bargaining and finding solutions that support employees while remaining financially responsible and sustainable for the future.

 

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Volusia County Schools’ vision is to create life-long learners prepared for an ever-changing global society. The VCS Strategic Plan: https://www.vcsedu.org/strategic-plan