Teachers and support staff across St. Johns County schools will see raises and referendum supplements for the 2026-27 school year after the district finalized contracts with both employee unions. SJEA members ratified the contract Aug. 27 with 95% approval.

The St. Johns County School District announced Wednesday, Sept. 9, that it had ratified collective-bargaining agreements with the St. Johns Education Association (SJEA) and the St. Johns Educational Support Professional Association (SJESPA). The SJEA represents teachers and instructional staff. The SJESPA covers paraprofessionals, bus drivers, custodians and clerical workers.

The deals close a bargaining cycle that began over the summer in one of Florida's fastest-growing districts, which opened the school year with 48,093 students.

What teachers get under new contract

According to the district's SJEA ratification presentation, base salary increases are tiered by experience: $1,200 for teachers with one to five years, $1,300 for six to nine years and $2,400 for 10 or more years. Teachers also receive millage referendum supplements ranging from $5,000 for those with up to five years of experience to $9,600 for those with 21 or more years.

Combined with pay-for-performance bonuses, total compensation increases range from $6,300 for early-career teachers to $12,100 for the most experienced, according to the presentation.

The SJEA contract ratification document shows one-time differentiated pay for hard-to-fill roles: about $1,100 for self-contained ACCESS and emotional/behavioral disability teachers, about $1,400 for speech-language pathologists and about $450 for school counselors. Teachers at Title I and high-poverty schools assigned 50% or more at those campuses receive an $850 supplement.

The contract also extends the internal transfer application window through June 1, previously closed at the end of February. External hiring recommendations for the following school year are delayed until May 1.

What support staff get under new contract

Support employees will receive a one-step salary increase worth no less than $900, according to the district's SJESPA presentation. Maintenance mechanics get an additional $1 per hour.

Full-time SJESPA employees are projected to receive a $7,190 millage referendum supplement, based on $16,221,017 in total educational support funds divided among 2,256 positions, according to the referendum memorandum of understanding. That supplement is funded by the 2024 local 1-mill referendum and runs through the 2028-29 school year.

The SJESPA contract also adds two paid holidays for 12-month employees: the Monday and Tuesday of Thanksgiving week. The school board approved the SJESPA agreement Sept. 1.

Shared provisions across both new contracts

Both contracts increase paid parental leave from five days to six. Health insurance plan design changes take effect Jan. 1, 2027, with updated premium contributions starting on the Nov. 15 paycheck.

Deputy Superintendent Paul Abbatinozzi, the district's chief negotiator for the SJEA contract, said the agreement supports educators while keeping the focus on student achievement. SJEA chief negotiator Jesse Biesiada said the ratification "demonstrates what is possible when bargaining teams work together with a shared commitment to students, employees, and the community."

Wayne King served as the district's chief negotiator for the SJESPA contract. Bethany Koch negotiated for SJESPA through the Northeast Florida Service Unit.

When employees see the money

Referendum supplements for both SJEA and SJESPA employees were scheduled to appear on the Sept. 15 paycheck, according to the SJEA ratification presentation. SJESPA pay raises were set for the Sept. 30 paycheck. SJEA pay raises were scheduled for the Oct. 15 paycheck.