NOTICE OF RATIFICATION ELECTION For 2026-2027 MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING 2026-27 Disbursement of the Classroom Teacher and Other Instructional Personnel Salary Increase and Base Salary Adjustments for Employees with Ten or More Years of Florida Public School Experience Between the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association and the School Board of Orange County
Dear Members of the Bargaining Unit:
Ratification ballots will be mailed out by Tuesday, August 4, 2026, to your home address. Be sure to check your mailbox, vote, and mail the ballot back as soon as possible.
Ballots must be mailed back in the pre-paid envelope and received at the U.S. Post Office Box no later than 10:00 a.m. on August 31, 2026.
Ballots will be publicly counted at the CTA Office, 1020 Webster Avenue, Orlando, FL 32804, beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 31, 2026. All members of the bargaining unit, regardless of their membership in the union, may observe the counting at the CTA Office at 1020 Webster Avenue, Orlando, FL 32804 or by zoom at this link: https://aft.zoom.us/j/97482235553?pwd=S0hYvJNadMlierwrnz1yXitbWddJSK.1
All members of the bargaining unit are eligible to vote, regardless of union membership.
CTA RECOMMENDS A YES VOTE!
2026-2027 MOU – HIGHLIGHTS:
Permanent base-salary adjustments for full-time educators who have at least 10 years of full-time teaching experience in a Florida public school (retroactive to the first duty day):
● 10-14 years of Florida public school experience: $1,925
● 15-19 years of Florida public school experience: $2,025
● 20-24 years of Florida public school experience: $2,200
● 25-29 years of Florida public school experience: $2,500
● 30-31 years of Florida public school experience: $2,800
● 32+ years of Florida public school experience: $3,000
Who is covered:
Section A covers full-time classroom teachers and certified prekindergarten teachers funded through the Florida Education Finance Program, who have at least 10 years of full-time teaching experience in a Florida public school. Section B provides the same experience-based adjustments to full-time teachers who are not eligible under Section A but who have at least 10 years of full-time teaching experience in a Florida public school.
Other key terms:
Upon ratification, eligible employees will receive the adjustment biweekly, retroactive to the first duty day of the 2026-2027 school year. The payout date will be determined by the Labor Management Partnership Committee. Additional compensation and health insurance remain subject to negotiation and the impasse proceedings in Case No. SM-2026-017.
The MOU expires June 30, 2027, but the salary increases remain part of the teachers’ base salaries.
Please read the proposed MOU before voting. The MOU may be viewed on the OCCTA website at: https://tinyurl.com/TSIA-MOU-2026 prior to casting your vote. A copy is available for inspection at the CTA OFFICE, 1020 Webster Avenue, Orlando, FL. 32804.
Ratification Voting FAQs for Ratification
Q When will the ballot be mailed?
A Ballots will be mailed to your home address with pre-paid return envelopes by Tuesday, August 4, 2026.
Q What is the voting deadline?
A Ballots must be received at the U.S. P.O. Box no later than 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 31, 2026.
They may be sent in by mail in the pre-paid return envelope.
Q Who can vote?
A All members of the bargaining unit may vote, regardless of membership in the union.
Q What if I am out of town and/or did not get my ballot in the mail, or if my ballot/return envelope are misplaced or spoiled?
A If you know you will be out of town, did not receive a ballot, or your ballot/return envelope are misplaced or spoiled, you may pick up a ballot at the CTA Office during extended business hours, which are Mon.- Fri. 7:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. If you pick up a ballot from the CTA Office, you will need to sign a form indicating that you picked up a ballot. If your ballot is spoiled, bring that ballot with you to the CTA Office to exchange it for a new ballot. You will then mail your ballot in the pre-paid envelope.
Q What if I am on a ‘protected’ mailing list and the RBELC is my mailing address? (This applies to spouses of law enforcement personnel, etc.).
A You may pick up a ballot at the CTA Office during extended business hours, which are Mon.-Fri. 7:00 a.m. -6:30 p.m. If you pick up a ballot from the CTA Office, you will need to sign a form indicating that you picked up a ballot. You will then mail your ballot in the pre-paid envelope to the U.S. Post Office box.
Q How do I send in my ballot?
A You may mail your ballot through the U.S. Post Office using the pre-paid return envelope but be sure to allow time for the U.S. Postal Service to deliver it to the U.S. Post Office box. Be sure you print your employee number, name, and address on your pre-paid return envelope. If there are multiple family members living at the same address, each person should use their own envelope to return their ballot. Ballots must be mailed in the pre-paid envelope and received at the U.S. P.O. Box by no later than 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 31, 2026.
Q Can I return my ballot to the CTA office?
A No. They may be sent in by mail in the pre-paid return envelope or dropped off at the post office. Ballots must be received at the U.S. Post Office box no later than 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 31, 2026.
Q Who will count the votes?
A The CTA Elections Committee, along with volunteers, will count the votes.
Q Where will the ballots be counted, and who can observe the count?
A The ballots will be counted at the CTA Office, 1020 Webster Avenue, Orlando, FL 32804, beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 31, 2026. All members of the bargaining unit, regardless of their membership in the union, may observe the counting at the CTA Office at 1020 Webster Avenue, Orlando, FL 32804 or at the following zoom link: https://aft.zoom.us/j/97482235553?pwd=S0hYvJNadMlierwrnz1yXitbWddJSK.1
Q When will the final ratification vote count be announced?
A The results will be announced immediately after the conclusion of vote counting and will be posted on the CTA website: https://www.orangecta.com/.
