The Sarasota County School Board unanimously approved a $15-per-hour minimum wage for all district employees in its meeting at Longboat Key Tuesday evening.
Sarasota County Schools' new minimum wage takes effect this year — a largely ceremonial increase as the vast majority of district employees already earn more than that. The change keeps the district in line with what Florida voters passed by a constitutional amendment ballot measure in the November 2020 election.
Under Florida law, the minimum wage is $10 per hour and will increase to $15 an hour by 2026.
The change passed during the board's consent agenda section, meaning no discussion on the change took place during Tuesday's meeting. The increase will take effect in October to allow the district to negotiate with the Sarasota Classified/Teachers Association. For district-appointed employees, the increase starts July 1.
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The increase comes amid a national labor shortage and specifically a district bus driver shortage. While bus drivers already make $17.67 per hour, the change should help staff lunchroom and other positions that were previously under $15 per hour.
During his superintendent report, Brennen Asplen said the district's hiring efforts this summer are going well and they expect to have no vacancies by the start of the school year.
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