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Pinellas Told To Return Teachers To A 5-Class Day

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By YOLANDA FERNANDEZ | News Channel 8

Published: December 1, 2008

Pinellas County middle school teachers have won a battle over the number of classes they are required to teach each day.

In June the Pinellas County School Board increased the number of classes taught daily from five to six. The change was supposed to save the district $2.2 million annually and help the school system comply with a state mandate limiting the number of students allowed in each class.

The union representing Pinellas teachers, the Pinellas County Classroom Teachers Association, took the teachers' grievance about the scheduling change to a binding arbitrator. The union maintained adding a sixth period violated its contract with the school district.

Last week the arbitrator sided with the teachers. The board must restore last year's schedule beginning in January. The ruling did not award teachers back pay, as requested. Pinellas' 24 middle schools potentially are affected by the decision.

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