PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Dear Members,

Welcome back! I hope you had a wonderful and relaxing Spring Break and were able to recharge for the next stretch ahead.

I'm excited to share that over the past few weeks we’ve built incredible momentum for membership growth of our union! Our amazing Association Reps at each school/worksite have really stepped up, along with many other members, having conversations with potential members and also helping track down and get all current members to sign their Membership Authorization Forms.

As you all know, the Legislature passed SB 1296, a law that threatens the very existence of our contract and is now just waiting for the Governor's signature.

URGENT: Membership Authorization Form (MAF)

All members must sign a Membership Authorization Form. So far, 3,600 members have completed the form. 4,000 more need to still do this in order for their membership to be counted.

We've sent several emails (from “Orange CCTA” through a platform called Signwell) to your home email address. We will begin texting all members this evening who haven't signed it to remind about this critical form.

URGENT: Membership Growth- YOUR CONTRACT IS AT RISK

We are now at 57.7% membership density, higher than when we lost the ability for dues deduction (SB 256)! This is happening because members like you are having one-on-one conversations with colleagues, because that’s how most people decide to join.

Because of SB 1296 we MUST reach 60%. Our contract is at risk if we don't. Ask one colleague today to join us in our collective fight for a better life.

Bargaining

Our next bargaining sessions are March 27 and March 31.

The Joint Fringe Benefits Committee recently met, and the district presented outrageous recommendations that would significantly increase the cost of our healthcare benefits. You can find their presentation HERE. They have not given a specific proposal yet but we anticipate this on March 27.

We have presented several cost-saving measures that should be explored before placing additional financial burdens on employees who are already struggling financially. Our recommendations would not only save money but would also improve the quality of care available to employees. We will continue pushing for these. See below for details.

I know its hard coming back from a break. Some are probably already counting down to our next break, April 24th! This is the day we recently bargained for to give a break in this long stretch of time before the end of the year.

I’m proud to be part of this union and to be fighting alongside all of you. Please remember that we are here for you. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need support.

In Solidarity,

Clinton McCracken

Orange CTA President and 25 year OCPS teacher

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clinton.mccracken/
Instagram: @clinton_mccracken

4,000 CTA MEMBERS STILL NEED TO SIGN THEIR MEMBERSHIP AUTHORIZATION FORM TO BE COUNTED IN MEMBERSHIP.

ONLY 300 MORE MEMBERS ARE NEEDED TO REACH 60%!

“The future depends on what you do today.”

— Mahatma Gandhi

TABLE OF CONTENTS

BARGAINING UPDATE

BARGAINING FOR 2026-2027:

We have met once for Bargaining, once for a School Board workshop we requested regarding healthcare, and once for a joint Fringe Benefits committee meeting. Our next bargaining sessions are March 27 and 31. As you saw in the bargaining survey, the district is recommending outrageous increases to the cost of your healthcare. See their recommendations HERE. We are bringing cost saving solutions that would actually improve care quality to look at BEFORE putting increases on the backs of employees. These include: Direct Contracting to reduce costs, a new breast screening option to expand the number of people being screened, especially those under 40 to increase care and reduce costs, expanding Lantern, and more.

Earlier this year, the bargaining suggestion form was open to members districtwide. After reviewing those submissions, the expanded Bargaining Committee met to identify common themes and determine which contract articles to consider opening. The committee will continue meeting after each bargaining session to receive updates and provide feedback to the bargaining team.

If your school is not yet represented on the Bargaining Committee, we encourage you to join us to ensure representation. Click HERE to participate.

Additional updates will be shared as they become available. Thank you for your continued support and engagement as we move forward together.

LABOR MANAGEMENT UPDATES:

CTA President Clinton McCracken meets with District representatives monthly for a "Labor Management Committee" to advocate for members, seek clarity on topics and workplace issues. Below are updates on some of the topics discussed during these recent meetings. We continue to discuss other issues as well, and updates will be provided as they become available.

Parental Leave

We have now reviewed the data on the cost of the district adding maternity leave last year. Based on that review, we submitted an MOU to transition from maternity leave to parental leave. This would expand the benefit to include adoption and all parents.

Skyward - Discipline Referrals

The District reported that all administrators and deans who handle discipline referrals are required to complete annual discipline training, with makeup sessions required for anyone who misses it and mandatory training for new administrators and deans. Principals also received training, and schools were reminded that teachers may use the Skyward referral process and cannot be required to use paper referrals. The District stated that attendance for discipline training and IT-led Skyward sessions is tracked, and support materials and open labs have been provided. Members of the bargaining unit having issues with the referrals may email us at orangecta@gmail.com.

Progress Report

The parties signed a Memorandum of Agreement to clarify the contract language about the Wednesday when Progress Reports are due. Click HERE to read the MOA. "When a progress report and/or report card due date falls on a Wednesday, the District will send communication discouraging the scheduling of unnecessary meetings and/or Professional Development scheduled for that Wednesday."

Orange Center ES

CTA and OCPS signed an MOU to ensure the rights of our members are protected during the school's transition to a Charter.

Direct Deposit

The union made the request on behalf of the bargaining unit for employees to have the option to split their checks into more than one account.

Summer Days

The union asked that the summer days be allocated specifically to each group, rather than the allocation being per worksite.

11-Month Employees

The union wants to begin exploring whether some positions can move from 10 months to 11 months. The district will begin looking into the possible financial impact.

Other Items

Additional items being discussed include, but are not limited to, Targeted Schools, Social Workers' Home Visits, School Counselors' Workload, Athletic Trainers, Testing Schedules, Skyward - Middle School Attendance, CTE Advanced Degrees, and Grant Funded Positions.

CONTRACT REMINDERS

2025 - 2026 CONTRACT: The CTA 2025–2026 Contract is now available HERE. Although the overall agreement runs from 2024–2027, we negotiate wages, insurance, and select articles each year. This contract is a formal agreement between the district and the union, and every school and administrator is obligated to honor it. When violations happen, CTA is ready to stand with our members and enforce the contract to protect your rights. This isn’t a set of suggestions, it’s a binding, enforceable document that exists because CTA exists and because members fought for these rights over the years in the bargaining process.

ADDITIONAL INFORMAL OBSERVATION: Teachers have the right to request an additional informal observation by April 1st. The request can be made to have the observation performed by a different administrator. In addition, teachers can request an additional informal to rate only the Deliberate Practice element. "An additional informal observation may be conducted each semester upon request from the teacher. The teacher must request the additional Informal observation for the first semester by December 1 and for the second semester by April 1. Teachers may request the additional informal observation to be completed by another trained administrator. This additional observation shall be calculated in the Instructional Practice Score and/or Deliberate Practice Score as provided elsewhere in this contract.” - Evaluation Manual / P. 12

Have a contract concern? Members can contact their CTA Specialist for assistance at 407-298-0756 or orangecta@gmail.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS

CTA PROFESSIONAL LEARNING: Join us at one of our upcoming Professional Development opportunities!

You receive a substitute provided by the district and a TDY day (this does NOT count against your personal leave).

UDL: Universal Design for Learning Framework and Guidelines

April 10-11

Click HERE to register!

Finding Strengths : Supporting Students with Disabilities

Participants will use the case-study method to develop appropriate accommodations and modifications to support student access to grade-level academic content.

April 17-18

Click HERE to register!

NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION ZOOM: We're excited to continue our new monthly Zoom series for our newest members! These sessions cover everything you need to know to get connected and empowered, including how to navigate our website, where to find your contract, who your AR is, ways we can support you, and ways you can help strengthen your union. Orientations will be held on the fourth Thursday of each month. New members can RSVP HERE for our next session on 3/26. (Future session: 4/23)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

AR CHECK IN MARCH 31: We're asking all Association Representatives to join us for a brief "Zoom Check In" from 4:30-5pm. This meeting will be combined with our bargaining committee meeting, and we will share updates on bargaining, membership growth, and membership authorization forms. Click HERE to register. Thank you for all that you do to ensure the strength of our union!

SCHOOL CLOSURES: The School Board voted at their last meeting to close Bonneville ES, Chickasaw ES, Eccleston ES, McCoy ES, Meadow Woods ES, Orlo Vista ES, and Union Park MS.

Anticipating this possibility, we proposed and fought for the School Closure Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which outlines protections for instructional employees at these schools.

Our hearts are with the communities, families, and employees affected by this decision. Please reach out if you need assistance during this difficult process. We are here to help.

ANTI UNION EMAIL: You may have received an email recently from a nefarious, billionaire backed group that wants to take away your contract. They are spreading misinformation to try and trick you and our colleagues into abandoning our Constitutional right to come together to advocate for our students and our profession. Don’t trust any group that wants to take away your right to fight for better pay, better health care and the education every student deserves. These are the same people who call a $20 per check increase in pay, “historic”. Don’t give them your information. You never know how they will use, or misuse it. Protect yourself and protect your future.

New Members/Recruiters: We're visiting schools to talk to potential members! Bring someone to chat with us about joining. We give them a $35 gift card on the spot once they join. They can choose among Target, Amazon, Publix, and other cards available. For most people it takes about a minute now to join as the process has become really fast. They'll list you as the recruiter and you'll receive your own $35 card via email within the next couple of weeks.

THE STUDENT LOAN HELP GROUP: Student Loan Update for OCPS Educators

Federal changes taking effect July 1, 2026 may limit access to current income-driven repayment plans for borrowers who consolidate after that date. Because consolidations can take up to 90 days to process, members are encouraged to review their loans before March 31, 2026, especially if pursuing Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) or holding Parent PLUS loans.

OCPS Members can schedule a free, confidential consultation with The Student Loan Help Group to review their options. Members also receive 10% off enrollment if additional support is needed.

👉 Book a free consultation: https://calendly.com/thestudentloanhelpgroup/phone-consultation

👉 Learn more: https://linktr.ee/tslhg

GLOBAL LEARNING FELLOWSHIP 2027: The NEA Foundation's Global Learning Fellowship is now accepting applications until Monday, April 6th! This is a unique, year-long professional development opportunity for educators to help students thrive in an increasingly interconnected world. The fellowship includes:

Workshops and webinars about global competency and education
Fellows' independent study followed by group reflection and discussion
Group mentoring
A two-day conference in Washington D.C.
Completion of a capstone project incorporating one or more of the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals into classroom instruction
A 10-day international field study to examine another country's education system, culture, and historical context

Please see the GLF overview with links for the application & March info sessions here, as well as application instructions here.

PEOPLEONE HEALTH: 💚 Important: If you sign up, don’t forget to schedule your first appointment to establish care. Memberships without a first visit will be canceled.

PeopleOne Health Care gives you unlimited access to:

✔️ Primary care providers
✔️ Health coaches
✔️ Registered dietitians
✔️ Social workers

With a little planning and the right support, you can enjoy the season and feel your best through it all.

Your care team is just a click away. Let them help lighten the load so you can focus on what really matters.

👉 https://more.peopleonehealth.com/ocps

STUDENT DEBT AND LOAN FORGIVENESS: Public Service Loan Forgiveness is a federal program for people who work full time in the public sector or for certain nonprofit organizations. It can lead to borrowers having their remaining federal student loan balance forgiven after 120 qualifying payments. Almost every AFT member is eligible for this program! Check aft.org/pslf for more information.

GRIEVANCES: We’re actively pursuing multiple contract violations around the district. Over the past 50 years, educators have fought hard to win a contract that protects our rights, and it’s our responsibility to defend it whenever those rights are ignored or violated. Members have stepped up to stand together. If you believe your contract is being violated, call us right away so we can answer your questions and discuss how to pursue a resolution.

A Legacy of Empowerment: Women’s History Lesson Plans for preK-12 Classrooms: Celebrate Women’s History Month and honor the achievements of trailblazing women all year long with this curated collection of free preK-12 Women’s History lesson plans and classroom activities. Designed to support inclusive and engaging instruction, these resources help educators explore the stories, movements and milestones that shaped history and continue to inspire change today. https://sharemylesson.com/collections/womens-history-lesson-plans

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

Bills that passed both chambers and are poised for Gov. DeSantis’ signature

SB 1296 (full text) is the anti-worker, anti-freedom bill we’ve written about quite a bit in the past few weeks. It passed the Senate on a vote of 20-14 and the House on a vote on 73-37. We hope you’ll watch this video where Dylan Reinsel, a teacher in Osceola County breaks down the impact of SB 1296 and explains why it is so important for every educator in Florida to join their union!
HB 561 (full text) helps to address Florida’s teacher shortage by making it easier for individuals whose professional teaching certification has lapsed to obtain a temporary certificate and return to the classroom. It passed both chambers unanimously.
HB 757 (full text) puts college and university students, faculty and staff in danger by allowing more guns on campus. The bill expands the “guardian program” that is already in place in PreK-12 to higher education. SB 757 passed the Senate on a vote of 26-10 and the House on a vote of 88-20.
SB 538 (full text) was presented by its supporters as a way to keep football coaches from leaving the state for higher pay in Georgia or Alabama. The bill, of course, ignores the underlying reason that coaches’ pay is low is because Florida is #50 in the nation for average teacher pay. The way the bill attempts to fix the issue is by allowing coaches (and the sponsor of any extracurricular activity) to request to be removed from the bargaining unit and placed in quasi-administrative position that allows them to negotiate their salary directly with the superintendent. The bill passed the Senate unanimously and passed the House on a vote of 104-6.
HB 991 (full text) is an attack on voting rights. This bill will make it harder for Floridians to register to vote and could potentially kick hundreds of thousands of eligible voters off of the voter rolls if they do not have a REAL-ID compliant driver’s license. The bill passed the Senate on a vote of 21-12 and the House on a vote of 77-28.
HB 1279 (full text) started out as an all-out assault on Florida’s colleges and universities. The bill would have continued attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion and would have set strict limits on enrollment from out-of-state students and foreign students. In the closing days of session, those provisions were removed. However, new language appeared in the bill that threatens to greatly restrict collective bargaining at the PreK-12 level. Specifically, the bill broadens the definition of “educational emergency” and allows school districts to use the pretext of an educational emergency to provide salary incentives and reassign staff outside of the collective bargaining process. The bill passed the Senate on a vote of 36-1 and the House on a vote of 81-16.

Bills that died—for this session. Look for many of them to return in 2027

HB 1119 (full text) is the book banning bill that would have prevented school districts from considering the artistic, literary, political, or scientific merit of books and instructional materials that have been challenged as inappropriate for minors. For the second consecutive year, this bill passed the House but was not heard in the Senate.
HB 725 (full text) would have authorized the Board of Governors and the State Board of education to adopt rules for universities and colleges that limit speech and conduct they deem as too political. The bill passed the House but was not heard in the Senate.
HB 31 (full text) following on the heels of legislation that passed last year to require newly purchased instructional materials to use the term “Gulf of America” instead of the internationally recognized term “Gulf of Mexico,” this bill would have banned the term “West Bank” in any official state government material, including in instructional materials. Instead, all publications would be required to use the term “Judea and Samaria.”
HB 203 (full text) would have decimated the ability of local communities to have the resources they need for parks, public safety, roadways and more through the elimination of property taxes. The bill passed the House but never was considered in the Senate. Stay tuned as there could be a special session on property taxes soon.
SB 176 (full text) was a priority bill for the United Faculty of Florida. This bill would have required colleges and universities to develop safety policies and procedures. Importantly, this bill would not have allowed guns on campus like the higher education “safety” bill HB 757. SB 176 passed in the Senate but was never taken up by the House.
SB 320 (full text) would have gone a long way towards addressing Florida’s teacher shortage. The bill reestablished multi-year contracts which would bring stability back to Florida’s teaching workforce; the bill also created a 10-year teaching certificate and would have allowed more teachers to be paid for their advanced degrees. For the third consecutive year, this bill passed the Senate unanimously and was never taken up by the House.
SB 318 (full text) was a response to the scathing Auditor General report on issues with voucher funding. While this bill did not go nearly far enough to rein in the fraud, waste and abuse in Florida’s voucher program, it would have been an important step in the right direction. The bill passed the Senate unanimously but was never taken up in the House.
SB 1216 (full text) was one of FEA’s priority pieces of legislation. This bill would have removed many of the current salary restrictions that prevent educators from being paid fairly. In order for Florida educators to have meaningful salary increases, there needs to be both a substantial investment in new funding and significant policy changes to remove barriers in law that prevent school districts and unions from negotiating fair pay. SB 1216 would have provided the legislative fixes needed. The bill passed the Senate unanimously but was never taken up in the House.
HB 1071 (full text) contained some good provisions related to math instruction. It also was full of unrelated culture war provisions such as eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion and forcing students to sit through anti-abortion propaganda in health class. Additionally, the bill would have undermined collective bargaining by significantly expanding the definition of “educational emergency” and allowing school districts to use the pretense of an emergency to avoid having to negotiate salaries. The bill passed the House, but fortunately was not taken up in the Senate. In the closing days of session, HB 1279— a bill that originally dealt with higher education—was amended to include the “educational emergency" provisions from HB 1071. You can read the changes on lines 134-157 here. So, even though HB 1071 did not pass, the terrible provision that undermines collective bargaining is now likely to become law through HB 1279.
SB 7036 (full text) had the same provisions related to math instruction as HB 1071 but left out the damaging culture war pieces. However, this bill went even further in restricting collective bargaining and would have allowed school districts unilateral authority over the allocation of teacher salary increase funding. SB 7036 passed the Senate, but fortunately was not take up in the House.

The bills listed above are not intended to be an exhaustive list of education-related legislation this session. In the coming weeks, FEA will complete a comprehensive annual End of Session report; be on the lookout for that. What has been made abundantly clear between the bills heading to the governor and many of the bills that did not pass is the disconnect between what Floridians need and what too many lawmakers are focused on. During a time when workers and families in the state are asking for some relief, when educators and parents are asking for meaningful protections for their neighborhood public schools, the legislature has made it clear where their priorities are.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

INFO FOR NEW MEMBERS Did you help someone join CTA this month? Share the information in this graphic with them to ensure they have everything they need. We also email this to them, but we ask you to give them a heads up in case they overlook the email.

Orange Technical College Tour: AFT President Randi Weingarten, Secretary-Treasurer Fed Ingram, Vice President Evelyn DeJesus, and FEA President Andrew Spar, joined CTA President Clinton McCracken and CTA member Megan Oates for a visit to Orange Technical College – South Campus. All were incredibly impressed by the outstanding CTE programs and the exceptional work our teachers and students are doing every day! Special thanks to all the amazing CTA members who shared about their programs at OTC-South Campus!

FEA Leadership Summit: CTA board members attended the FEA/AFT Leadership Summit in Orlando to explore innovative approaches to union leadership and collaborate on strategies to strengthen our organization, grow membership, and better serve our members.

CTA MEMBERSHIP GROWTH - STRENGTHENING YOUR UNION

CTA MEMBERSHIP DRIVE: All members will receive $35 for every new member that signs up and lists you as the recruiter when they join. All new members also receive $35 when they are fully connected for dues payments. Be on the lookout for an email from "Toasty" as the e-gift card does expire within 30 days.

PHONE BANKING: Thanks to all our members who have been coming to the office to call potential members and share why they are members and why people should join TODAY! Our union is growing!

TOP 10 REASONS TO JOIN

YOU ARE THE STRENGTH OF YOUR UNION!

We can accomplish more together than all alone
Stronger collective bargaining power to improve wages, benefits, and working conditions
Contract support for grievance process to protect your rights
Free Professional Development
Amplify your voice for pro-public education policies
CTA members-only benefits (like our new Dental/Vision plans) and FEA/NEA/AFT benefits
Representation when you need someone in your corner
Assistance with Evaluation system
Support network and community
Being part of the solution for change instead of passively accepting problems

CTA BENEFITS

MEMBER ASSIST: MemberAssist is here to handle life’s everyday headaches so you don’t have to. From the small stuff to the big stuff, we’ve got you covered: Fixing a leaky faucet, planning a vacation, finding a doctor, booking childcare, pet care, senior care, movers, and more! How it works: Submit a request any time; no task is too big or too small. Our expert LifeConcierges handle it for you. Sign up here: memberassist.net Less stress, more life. Start using MemberAssist today!

Already a member? Join the MemberAssist referral program. Every time a colleague signs up with your referral link, you score guaranteed rewards, no luck, no drawings, just real perks for spreading the word. Sign up here: https://app.getoveralls.com/dashboard

CTA DENTAL/VISION: NEW Optional CTA Member Benefits Are Here! — available to members at special rates. Visit ctabenefits.com or call 305-613-5192 to enroll. Optional benefits include:

CTA MEMBERS SAVING THOUSANDS!: Don't miss out on your chance to save significantly on your homeowners insurance. We have many members who are saving thousands each year currently.

Contact ctabenefits.com or call 305-613-5192 to enroll. Optional benefits include:

Dental (Humana) & Vision
Aflac (Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, BenExtend)
Disability Insurance
Life and Long-Term Care
Cosmetic/elective coverage (fertility, weight loss, medspa, and more)
Legal Protection & ID Theft
Pet Insurance
Auto & Home Insurance

FEA BENEFITS: You must be an FEA member to be eligible. Access the registration page by logging in to the FEA member side of the website.

Other benefits through CTA include:

THE NEA TRAVEL PROGRAM: This is a free benefit for NEA members. Receive exclusive deals and discounts, saving you up to 60% on hotels, car rentals, cruises, and more. Plus earn NEA Travel Dollars to use like cash along the way and help you save even more (1 credit = 1 USD). New to the program? Enroll for free today and earn $500 Travel Dollars on NEA! Valid for one year and replenished annually.

SUNCOAST CREDIT UNION: Thinking about retirement, but not sure if the Florida Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) is the right fit for you? DROP allows employees in the Florida Retirement System (FRS) to keep working while continuing to build their retirement benefits. This webinar will cover:

How to determine the income you'll need for retirement
Options for replacing income in retirement
Understanding DROP, how to qualify, and more

To learn more and register, visit invest.suncoast.com/events

CTA SOCIAL MEDIA: Click to join the CTA Members FB group (the only official CTA FB Group). “Like” CTA’s public FB Page HERE to see posts in your feed. Follow Instagram, Threads, Bluesky @orangecta. Remember that our members-only Facebook Group is the ONLY group affiliated with your Union. Be sure you are getting accurate information when asking questions online. We have seen inaccurate information in other places. Also, while anonymous posting is currently an option, remember that CTA staff are unable to fix any concerns when they’re posted in the group. For assistance from staff, you must email or call the office. We often see contract violations in comments but can’t file a grievance to resolve it if you don’t contact us directly. You can also file a class action grievance and remain anonymous, but again, that must be done by contacting the office.

FREE CTA MEMBER T-SHIRT: Members click HERE to order your T-Shirt if you haven’t yet received one.

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