by florida news agency
State Board of Education members are considering ways to put more pressure on local teachers unions as planned teacher pay increases in some school districts are delayed.
The board on Wednesday discussed efforts to distribute funds approved by Congress last year. The funding is part of a multi-year effort to raise the statewide minimum wage for teachers to $47,500. School districts in Orange, Putnam and Santa Rosa counties have not distributed the doses yet, but Putnam and Santa Rosa counties are expected to start distributing the doses next month.
Orange County School Board Chair Teresa Jacobs said union negotiations are difficult. “We need to pay our teachers more,” Jacobs said. “Too few people are entering the education field to begin with. We are losing teachers, so anything that delays this is unconscionable.”
Union leaders say the process of raising teacher pay is complex and that experienced teachers should be paid more than new teachers.
Lawmakers this month approved a 2024-2025 budget that provides an additional $200 million to increase teacher pay. The Legislature has not formally sent the budget to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has veto power.
“I continue to be frustrated with some school districts that are withholding these salary increases and, in my opinion, are in dire need of salary increases,” State Education Commissioner Ryan Petty said in a statement. “It goes against the will and intent of Congress to pay teachers.” he said Wednesday.
