History

The Sarasota Classified/Teachers Association is the bargaining representative of the 5000 Instructional and Classified employees of the Sarasota County School District.

For over sixty years, we have helped our members provide the best education possible for the students of Sarasota County, Florida.

The Sarasota Classified/Teachers Association had its beginning on October 10, 1942 , when *"a goodly representation of Sarasota County teachers met in the Golf Street Auditorium to organize." The organized teachers were granted a charter by the National Education Association on December 12, 1942.

The next significant event in the life of the SC/TA occurred on May 6, 1966, when the Sarasota County Teachers Association was formed following a merger of the Negro Teachers Association, the Classroom Teachers Association, and the Sarasota County Education Association. The new organization was the result of a year of planning by the groups involved and hoped to draw a membership of nearly 800 from the ranks of certificated educators in Sarasota County.

In June of 1979, following a two year struggle against the administration and School Board, the Sarasota County Teachers Association became the Sarasota Classified/Teachers Association. The affiliate vote total was 529 votes cast for the SC/TA and 250 votes against. A union was born.

The new Sarasota Classified/Teachers Association received a charter from the American Federation of Teachers on September 1, 1983.

The decade of the 1980s proved very beneficial to the members of the SC/TA with many important contractual rights being fought for and won. In addition, SC/TA members' salaries and benefits were on the rise.

The 1990s have brought downsizing and cuts in education funding. In 1991 the SC/TA survived an organizational challenge by the FTP-NEA for its bargaining agent status. The SC/TA prevailed in the vote by a 71 to 29 percent margin.

In 1998, SC/TA became an independent labor organization.

In March 2002 SC/TA along with the Sarasota County School Board and Citizens For Better Schools worked together to pass a referendum that would make up for the lack of funding from the Florida Legislature. Referendum funds have been used to lower class size, raise the salary of staff and reinstate much needed services and programs. The referendum was renewed in 2006.

Today, our membership has grown to over 4,000. Our members are active in all areas of the community. We strive not only for the rights and economic betterment of our members but also for academic excellence.

* minutes taken by secretary Elinor Howard Oct. 10, 1942.