Proposals to increase public school teacher starting pay by 37% in Florida were not considered in the Legislature this year despite being introduced as the “Save Our Teachers Act.”
The bills aimed to raise the base salary for full-time classroom teachers, including preschool teachers, to $65,000 yearly, up from the current $47,500.
Florida ranks 16th in the nation for average teacher starting salaries and 48th for average teacher pay overall. The bills, filed by Sen. Lori Berman and Rep.
Tae Edmonds, both Democrats, did not progress beyond committee referral despite attracting attention from various education-focused groups and lobbyists.
If passed, the legislation would have required additional funding from the Florida Education Finance Program to ensure schools could meet the increased salary requirements. School districts would have been required to develop salary distribution plans and report them to the state.
While negotiations between schools and employees would still have been permitted, districts that reached an impasse in bargaining talks would have had to provide the state with a written explanation and a timeline for resolution.
Sen. Berman expressed disappointment at the bills’ lack of progress, emphasizing the need to train, retain, and attract top-quality teachers. She highlighted the importance of proper teacher compensation, stating that Florida students deserve the best educators.
The bills fail amid many vacant positions in Florida schools, including thousands of openings for teachers and support staff. Many teachers work multiple jobs to make ends meet, highlighting the need for better support and compensation in the education system.
Despite the setback, advocates like Rep. Edmonds and others continue to push for improved funding and support for public education in Florida, emphasizing the importance of investing in teachers and students to maintain the state’s status as a top economy.
