Monday, July 28, 2025 - The MEA bargaining team is scheduled to meet with the district bargaining team on July 30, 2025, at 4:00 pm at the School Support Center, 215 Manatee Ave. W. in room 203.

This will be the opening of contract negotiations for the teacher and para contracts for 2025-2026. This is a limited reopener negotiations; therefore, not all articles will be open for negotiations.

All negotiations are open to the public, and anyone is welcome to come to observe.

Below you will find a summary of the priorities captured from the responses from the Bargaining Surveys conducted in May.

Complete bargaining survey results:  

The MEA bargaining team will post updates after each session including future bargaining dates.

July 17, 2025

MEA and the District have reached an agreement on the pay schedule for teachers and paraprofessionals for the ’25-’26 work year.

This agreement includes,

• a “skinny check” for 10-month employees for 5 days will be paid on August 8, 2025
• 26 equal payroll distributions paid from August 22, 2025 - August 7, 2026
• end of the need to negotiate “skinny checks” in future years due to the new pay cycle
• the district will again deduct an equal amount of “Paid Not Earned” (PNE) from each paycheck to show the repayment of the money advanced for the “skinny check.”

Also agreed to but not contained in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU),

11-month instructional employees begin work on July 14^th will receive a “skinny check for 5 days’ pay on July 25, 2025.

MTC employees who begin work on July 29^th will receive a skinny check for 4 days (worked in that pay period) on August 8, 2025 (the same as last year).

Memorandum of Understanding for Teachers

Memorandum of Understanding for Paraprofessionals

MEA needs YOU! Membership in your union is more important than ever! Scan the QR code or click here to join!

1. A VOICE IN YOUR WORKING CONDITIONS
As we collectively bargain our wages, hours and working conditions, we help define the most tangible aspects of our profession for Manatee County teachers and paraprofessionals.

2. ADVOCACY FOR OUR STUDENTS & SCHOOLS
Through student scholarships, community outreach and policy advocacy, MEA members are working together to ensure our students and our neighborhood public schools have the resources they need to thrive.

3. REPRESENTATION WHEN IT'S NEEDED
MEA members are guaranteed representation in matters related to their job. In administrative meetings, and in the event of certification or investigations by outside agencies, membership means support for and protection of due process rights.

4. PROFESSOINAL GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
Members have access to a wealth of professional resources through our local, state and national organizations; we are committed to high-quality instruction at every level of education.

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