Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has just announced a slew of funding promises for teachers across the Sunshine State. However, not everyone is pleased.
DeSantis Announces Funding Promises for Teachers
In a recent press conference in Hialeah, DeSantis proudly announced a nearly $202 million boost in the budget for teacher salaries this year.
Sharp Jabs at Teachers’ Union in Hialeah Press Conference
While he celebrated this move, he also took some pretty sharp jabs at the local teachers’ union, United Teachers of Dade, making it clear that the battle over education funding and union power in Florida is far from over.
Accusations Against United Teachers of Dade
DeSantis didn’t hold back when talking about the United Teachers of Dade. He accused the union of being more focused on politics than on helping kids.
DeSantis Criticizes Union’s Focus on Politics
“That old union in Miami-Dade fought tooth and nail to keep kids locked out of school. They did not want kids in person during Covid, and they’ve worked really hard to push a political agenda, which is not what we need in our schools,” DeSantis said.
Pay Raises In Spite of Unions
He also made it a point to say, “We’re raising pay in spite of those unions, not because of them.”
Union Membership Under Pressure
The United Teachers of Dade represents 27,000 members and is currently in hot water. Thanks to a new law passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature, unions now need 60% of members to pay dues to stay certified, up from 50%.
Upcoming Recertification Vote for United Teachers of Dade
This has led to a recertification vote, scheduled to take place by mail from August 13 to September 24. The stakes are high, as members have to choose between keeping their current representation, switching to the Miami-Dade Education Coalition, or having no union representation at all.
Mixed Reactions to Pay Raises
While DeSantis was upbeat about the pay raises, not everyone is thrilled.
Concerns from Broward Teachers Union President
Anna Fusco, president of the Broward Teachers Union, pointed out that while new teacher salaries are going up, veteran teachers and support staff are being left in the dust. “The new teacher salary is increasing, which leaves the veteran teachers and support staff at a standstill,” Fusco said.
DeSantis Targets Union Leader’s Salary
DeSantis also took aim at Karla Hernandez-Mats, the president of United Teachers of Dade, claiming she makes nearly $300,000 a year. Hernandez-Mats shot back, saying her actual salary is $181,723.
Union Vice President Criticizes Governor’s Efforts
Antonio “Tony” White, First Vice President of United Teachers of Dade, didn’t mince words as he pushed back against DeSantis’ claims. “We’re facing a concerted effort by right-wing advocates to eliminate teachers’ unions,” White said, criticizing the governor’s approach.
Antonio White on Teacher Salary Decline
He went on to state, “This governor has consistently fallen short in boosting funding here to move Florida up in the rankings. The truth of the matter is teacher salaries have simply declined each and every year in the state of Florida under this governor’s administration.”
DeSantis Highlights $4 Billion Allocation Since 2019
DeSantis claims that since he took office in 2019 nearly $4 billion has been allocated for teacher pay raises, and starting salaries have seen a $10,000 increase.
Florida’s Low Ranking in Teacher Pay
But despite the new budget increase, Florida still ranks poorly in teacher pay. According to the National Education Association (NEA), Florida ranks 50th in the nation for average teacher salaries, at around $53,000, despite ranking 16th for starting salaries at $47,178.
Union’s Argument on Ineffectiveness of Past Moves
The union Florida Education Association (FEA) argues that DeSantis’s past moves have been ineffective, pointing to Florida’s historic low national ranking in average teacher salaries as proof.
Drop in Overall Teacher Pay Ranking
When you look at the NEA’s data it reveals that Florida’s overall ranking in teacher pay dropped from 48th to 50th in the past year, indicating that the state seems to be struggling to pay its educators.
FEA President Criticizes Governor’s Portrayal
FEA President Andrew Spar criticized the governor’s portrayal of the funding boost and backed up Antonio White’s comments. “Teachers can’t afford to be teachers, and all they’re asking for is to be paid enough so that they can pay their bills, go to the doctor when they’re not feeling well, and do their jobs,” Spar commented.
Commitment to Pushing for More Funding
DeSantis, for his part, claims he is committed to pushing for more funding. “Florida’s education system is number one in the nation, and we want to make sure good educators are attracted to Florida with attractive compensation,” he said.
A Tough Road Ahead
But with ongoing disputes with unions and the broader financial challenges faced by teachers, it’s clear that the road ahead will be rocky.
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