Okeechobee County Education Association - OCEA

09/03/2026

Bargaining Update!

Today at the table we countered yesterday’s proposal of $500 for Instructional Staff and $250 for Classified Staff. Our proposal was that the qualified employees in each unit receive $900.

The district returned, appreciating the unity across units, with a counter proposal for $600. They explained that this is exhausted all cushion that the district holds in the budget.

We held an informative caucus, where we had a strong showing of members engaged in the conversation.

We returned from caucus to accept their proposal.

We want to thank the district for their transparency, and the willingness to make adjustment to especially the Classified proposal. As our chief negotiator said at the table, our bills don’t have “Instructional” or “Classified” with a different dollar amount. We are happy to present a tentative agreement that gives an equal one-time payment to all employees in our bargaining units who were not covered under TSIA funds.

As a reminder, this one-time payment, upon ratification, would be paid to Instructional Staff who is not covered under TSIA funds as well as all Classified staff who:
-Worked at least one day over half of the 2025-2026 school year for OCSB
-Received an effective or higher performance evaluation for the 2025-2026 school year
-Still employed by the district on date of School Board ratification

Keep an eye on your school email for the full documents of tentative agreements and information on dates from Superintendent Tedders. Remember any classified or instructional staff member has the right to vote.

09/02/2026

Hey OCSB employees 👋

Secretary-Treasurer Sarah here with a little info about that email from Monday!

This was the notice of election from PERC, which is the next step in recertification for our union.

Whether you are a member or not, if you are in the bargaining unit this impacts you! If you were employed July 27th you will be receiving the ballot via mail in early October.

If you wish for OCEA to maintain the bargaining agent for our contract please engage in this election!

There is a little bit more of the specifics in the video, and we will be sharing more information to help make this successful as the time gets closer, but wanted to acknowledge this email in case anyone was confused.

Thanks for taking the time!

09/02/2026

We met again this evening for negotiations.

Mr. Tedders sent out prior proposals in his superintendent Wrap-Up.

Last week we left with a counter proposal from the district for a $350 one-time payment for instructional staff not covered under TSIA funds.

Tonight we returned and countered with a $1000 one-time payment, recognizing the current "financial forecast" of our district and many across the state. We also gave an initial proposal for classified that matched last year's two-step movement agreement.

The district went to caucus and returned with counter offers for a $500 one-time payment for instructional and $250 one-time payment for classified.

We return to the table tomorrow at 5pm in the Board Room on the 3rd floor at district office.

Thank you to everyone who has been showing up and asking for updates to stay informed!

Send a message to learn more

08/27/2026

We will be continuing negotiations next week on Tuesday at 5pm in the board room!

We also have our first general membership meeting for this school year on September 10! We will be in person at our office. We can do a Zoom option if requested, but you would not able to vote on initiatives just gain information or ask questions.

08/26/2026

08/24/2026

Don’t forget!

Negotiations for remaining pay resumes this Wednesday at 5pm in the board room! Come show your support in your new union shirt.

🚨UPDATE🚨
August 26th will kick off the next round of salary negotiations. We will be starting on the first session of classified (ESP) salaries and we will begin to bargain on the instructional personnel that were not covered under the recent TSIA fund/statutory language. Incase you were not in attendance at the last few sessions; TSIA only covered classroom teachers that have 10+ years of teaching in a Florida classroom. With that being said if you are instructional personnel with 0-9 years, instructional personnel not currently in a classroom (guidance, dean, etc), or classified personnel please make sure that you are in attendance.

08/10/2026

🎒✨ WELCOME BACK, OKEECHOBEE! ✨📚

On behalf of the Okeechobee County Education Association, we are excited to welcome all of our incredible educators and students back for the 2026–2027 school year!

To our educators and education professionals: thank you for the dedication, heart, and hard work you bring to our schools each day. 💙

To our students: may this year be filled with learning, growth, new friendships, exciting opportunities, and plenty of reasons to be proud.💛

Here’s to fresh beginnings, big goals, and a wonderful school year ahead!

08/03/2026

If you have not gotten your shirt or membership card and work at
-South
-OAA
-Transportation
-Maintenance
-District Office

We will be at the union office, 102 SW 15th St, until 7pm.

Other sites your reps should be picking up your items this evening!

If you are unable to come tonight we are continuing to work on a plan to get with your reps, get items delivered to schools, or have more nights we’re here. We’ll keep you posted.