CLASS Advocacy Email

In Gov. DeSantis’ budget rollout for 2022-2023, he is again proposing a $1,000 retention bonus for current principals and teachers. During the 2021 Session, the Florida Legislature approved the Governor’s 2021-2022 proposal for $1,000 bonuses for principals and teachers. However, this put school districts in the position of matching those bonuses for school district employees who are not principals and teachers.

To engage in one of our pillars, ADVOCACY, CLASS Pasco “asks” that you, as a school leader, take a moment to send an email to the Pasco Legislative Delegation sharing with them your thankfulness for the recognition AND note the morale and other employee issues that arise when one class of employees are singled out versus employees who do not serve in the principal or teacher classifications. Please share with the legislators your concerns.

Also, we ask that you encourage the delegation to support HB 587by Rep. Plasencia and SB 298 by Sen. Book which would allow district school boards to use advanced degrees as a criterion in setting a salary schedule for certain personnel”; and the flexibility to use the best salary schedule. Today, requiring FEFP allotments be used as 50% towards raising minimum teacher pay does not leave sufficient funds for veteran teachers, hardworking administrators, and the litany of support staff needed to provide educational opportunities for students.

Please, take a moment to review the advocacy letter provided below, consider altering it so it sounds authentic and coming from you. Thank you in advance for time!
Your Name Your Name First Last
Your Email
Your School
Your Home Address Your Home Address
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region Postal / Zip Code Country
Complete this section, then click the Submit button.
While we find encouragement in the proposed opportunity by Rep. Plasencia in HB 587 (and SB 298 by Sen. Book) “authorizing, instead of prohibiting, district school boards to use advanced degrees as a criterion in setting a salary schedule for certain personnel”; and the flexibility to use the best salary schedule for them, the requirements that your FEFP allotment be used as 50% towards raising minimum teacher pay does not leave sufficient funds for veteran teachers, hardworking administrators, and the litany of support staff needed to provide educational opportunities for students. As you are no doubt aware, there is a national shortage of school bus drivers, nutrition staff, counselors and teachers. Competing with sign-on bonuses being offered by fast food restaurants, convenience stores and trades companies renders districts near powerless to attract qualified workers. We are grateful that the legislature and Governor had identified teacher salaries as an issue, but to only focus on beginning salaries, especially in light of the pandemic pressured reality ALL educators face, is disrespectful to the VAST majority of teachers. We ask that you consider truly prioritizing education: 1. By lifting the big government imposed categoricals and restrictions and instead, let districts use the FEFP at their discretion. 2. By adding funds, without categoricals, to the FEFP 3. Keep the authorization, instead of prohibition, allowing district school boards to use advanced degrees as a salary schedule criterion. As an educator, please listen to the voice of an experienced administrator who cares deeply about the future of our state and nation. That is why I’ve dedicated my life to public service by being an educator. We are counting on you to do the right thing for children; not the political sound-bite of raising the salaries of those just entering the ranks of teaching. Thank you for your time and favorable consideration,