Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association

Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association A group of people doing together what one person cannot do alone.
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08/27/2026

📣 UPDATE: CLASSROOM SUPPLY FUNDS

Our HCTA President and Executive Director touched base with HCPS Human Resources today regarding reports from members who have historically received Classroom Supply Program funds but have not yet received notification this year.

We were assured there has been NO intent to change or restrict the instructional positions that have historically received these funds.

The rollout is still underway, so please remain patient as additional employees are processed.

For employees determined eligible after July 1, Florida law provides through September 30 for the funds to be made available.

We appreciate everyone who reached out and raised the concern — and appreciate HCPS providing clarification. And we do expect more guidance to be provided soon.

Bottom line: If you’ve historically received these funds, don’t panic if you haven’t seen them yet! We’ll continue to monitor the rollout and follow up if issues remain in the coming weeks. 💪

08/25/2026

🚨 CLASSROOM SUPPLY FUNDS: WE’RE AWARE! BUT IS THE SCHOOL BOARD???

HCTA is receiving increasing reports from instructional employees who have historically received Classroom Supply Program funds but have not yet received them this year.

We asked HCPS for clarification yesterday evening and have not yet received an answer. This may simply be a delay or an issue still being worked through — and we hope it is.

Because for nearly a quarter of a century, since 2002, HCPS has included many instructional professionals beyond those specifically required by state law.

School Psychologists. Social Workers. Coaches. Resource Teachers. Interventionists. Specialists. TOSAs. OTs/PTs. And many others.

These employees use these funds for STUDENTS. Many have already planned for materials and resources they expected to purchase this year, or already made the purchases expecting these funds as usual, just as they have for years.

📣 If you have historically received these funds and have been left out this year, speak up!

Contact your School Board members now. Tell them how long you’ve received these funds and what you planned to or already have purchase for your students.

We don’t yet know whether this is a delay, an oversight, or a decision.

But if a 24-year practice is being changed, our educators deserve to know why.

Our HCTA executive director is asking. Members should be asking too. 👀

🏆 WINNING WEDNESDAY: 15 MINUTES MATTERS!When contract rights aren’t honored, members have the power to do something abou...
08/19/2026

🏆 WINNING WEDNESDAY: 15 MINUTES MATTERS!

When contract rights aren’t honored, members have the power to do something about it.

At one of our worksites, HCTA members knew their contract guaranteed them an hour lunch during pre-planning under the Instructional Contract, Section 3.7.8. When they learned they would only receive 45 minutes on two pre-planning days, they banded together and raised the issue before pre-planning even began, hoping it could be resolved.

It wasn’t.

So they stayed organized, documented what happened, and used their contractual grievance process to enforce the agreement they had collectively bargained.

The result? A Level II grievance settlement. Because the members lost 30 minutes of contractual time, they negotiated double the time back for all. During their first-semester conference night, these educators will leave at 7:00 PM instead of 8:00 PM.

👏 That’s a union win. And the members made it happen.

This isn’t really about 15 minutes. It’s about something much bigger.

Our contract isn’t a list of suggestions. The rights we negotiate only have power when members know them, use them, and stand together to enforce them.

These members advocated for themselves, worked together through their union, and stood firm on a simple principle:

Educators’ time matters. Our contract matters. And educators deserve to be treated like professionals.

💪 This is what our union power looks like.

Today's the last day for early voting! We're out at Platt and Riverview libraries. Stop by and say hi while you cast yo...
08/16/2026

Today's the last day for early voting! We're out at Platt and Riverview libraries. Stop by and say hi while you cast your vote!

Instructional & ESP negotiations continue tomorrow at our HCTA offices. 1 pm - ESP agenda is focused on School Board res...
08/06/2026

Instructional & ESP negotiations continue tomorrow at our HCTA offices.

1 pm - ESP agenda is focused on School Board responses to prior proposals, and HCTA initial economic proposals

3 pm - Instructional agenda is focused on language proposals

Remember, our union power at the bargaining table is only as strong as the members behind it. That is because power is not given. It’s organized!!

Hope to see everyone tomorrow!

Members received information to view the sessions virtually in the newsletter sent this week.

🏆 Winning Wednesday | From the HCTA ArchivesWe Led the Way!!!Did you know In 1969, Hillsborough County became the only s...
08/06/2026

🏆 Winning Wednesday | From the HCTA Archives

We Led the Way!!!

Did you know In 1969, Hillsborough County became the only school district in Florida with rights to contract negotiations by law?

Long before the rest of the state, HCTA helped secure educators a real voice at the table and many of the workplace rights we still protect today. HCTA members were instrumental in trailblazing the laws for the rest of Florida public school employees to have the same ability to negotiate their contracts with their school boards!

As HCTA Executive Director Bob Martinez reminded members in 1969:

“The more individuals an organization represents, the greater its chances of successful achievements.”

That was true then. And It’s still true today! If we had no power, out of state lobbyists and lawmakers would not be working so hard and spending unlimited amounts of money to strip our contract and silence our voices at work!

We stand on the shoulders of the educators who built our union power. Now it’s our turn to protect the contract they started over half a century ago! JOIN TODOAY & ASK YOUR COLLEAGUES TO JOIN
https://feacms.floridaea.org/portal/fasttrack/198/form

🗳️ Early voting is underway!The August 18 Primary Election is an important one because many school board races are decid...
08/04/2026

🗳️ Early voting is underway!

The August 18 Primary Election is an important one because many school board races are decided in the primary. Since school board elections are nonpartisan, every registered voter can vote in these races, regardless of political party.

Before you cast your ballot, take a few minutes to review the pro-public education candidates endorsed by the West Central Florida Labor Council following its screening and endorsement process.

View the complete list of endorsements here: https://bit.ly/EndorsementsCLC2026

Your vote helps shape the future of our public schools.

08/03/2026

🎉 What an incredible summer for HCTA!

This year, our amazing Member Organizers welcomed nearly 300 new educators and school employees into the HCTA family!

Even more exciting, our Summer Onboarding recruitment has continued to grow every year:
📈 2024: 44%⭐️⭐️
📈 2025: 53%⭐️⭐️⭐️
📈 2026: 63%!!!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

That growth is no accident. It’s the result of HCTA members showing up, building relationships, answering questions, and welcoming new employees from their very first day.

This summer proves something we know is true: when we organize, we grow. And every new member strengthens our collective voice as we continue advocating for our profession, our students, and our public schools.

A huge THANK YOU to our seven Member Organizers for their hard work, energy, and commitment all summer long. We couldn’t be prouder of what you accomplished! Check out this video and get to know them ❤️💚💙

💙 Help us welcome our newest HCTA members this pre-planning!

07/31/2026

Tomorrow, nearly 100 new HCTA members will shop our 4th Annual New Teacher Free Market, filling their bags with classroom supplies to help them start the school year strong.

A huge thank you to every volunteer, donor, and community partner who made this event possible. ❤️

We can't wait to welcome our newest educators tomorrow!

As we prepare to kick off the new school year, know that we're proud to stand with our teachers and education support pr...
07/31/2026

As we prepare to kick off the new school year, know that we're proud to stand with our teachers and education support professionals every step of the way. Have a great first day!

Address

3102 N Habana Avenue
Tampa, FL
33607

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+18132387902

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