$2,500 Teacher Raises Pay For Florida Salaries, Costs $480 Million


The $2,500 teacher raises in Florida would apply on an annual basis to Florida teachers’ salaries and would cost an estimated $480 million.

As previously reported by The Inquisitr, a teacher’s pay can be quite controversial. The Strongsville teachers strike had unions saying their staff were not being overpaid. Strongsville teachers reportedly made about $70,500 on average during the 2011-12 school year.

Florida is running a budget surplus this year, although that’s not too unusual because Florida has a balanced budget requirement unlike the Federal Congress. The Florida $2,500 teacher raises will be applied to their salaries next year without any conditions if Governor Rick Scott has his way. Rick Scott says, “We need to do across- the- board $2,500 pay raise for each and every one of our classroom teachers.”

The Florida House and Senate are not singing the same tune. While $480 million has already been set aside for the $2,500 teacher raises, the current proposal would require the money be tied to teacher performance. They’re also wanting the $2,500 teacher raises to be split among all instructional personnel, which includes classroom aides.

Some legislators desire the Florida teacher merit pay law passed in 2011 should apply to the $2,500 teacher raises. Representative Eric Fresen (R-Miami), chairman of the House panel that oversees school spending, says, “I think at the end of the day, regardless of how you look at it, it’s going to be used for teacher salary increases.”

Melissa Sellers, a spokeswoman for Governor Scott, believe lawmakers may still change their minds:

“The governor has priorities. The Legislature has priorities. There’s still enough time left to determine how successful this session will be for all of us.”

The $2,500 teacher raises issue will need to be wrapped up by May 3, which is the date Florida lawmakers are required to have a finished state budget.

What do you think about Florida considering a $2,500 teacher raise?

Share this article: $2,500 Teacher Raises Pay For Florida Salaries, Costs $480 Million
More from Inquisitr