Parents, educators, and students gathered to urge the Florida Legislature to take steps to strengthen public schools across the state. The event, organized by the Florida Education Association (FEA), brought together teachers, parents, professors, education staff professionals, and student leaders to discuss concerns about the direction of public education in Florida.
Andrew Spar, President of the FEA, said: “As educators, parents, and students across the state know, Florida is not fulfilling the constitutional requirement it has. But Legislators have a chance to do so. This session, lawmakers have several bills before them that will improve learning conditions for Florida’s public-school students. We want lawmakers to act on behalf of our public-school students, uphold their constitutional right to a free, high-quality public education, and help educators do the jobs they love and want to do.”
Several legislative proposals addressing issues such as wage compression for veteran educators, salary flexibility, multiyear contracts for teachers, 10-year teaching certificates, recognition of advanced degrees, and voucher accountability are advancing in the Senate but have yet to be scheduled or heard in the House.
Over two decades, policies have been implemented that restrict educators’ work and shift funding from public schools toward private school vouchers and charter corporations. These measures have resulted in fewer resources for public schools and have allowed charter organizations to share space within public school buildings at taxpayer expense.
Damaris Allen, Executive Director of Families for Strong Public Schools stated: “Parents have made it abundantly clear—especially when it comes to charter schools co-locating in our public schools—that we are against harmful policies like Schools of Hope. We are concerned about the future of our students, we are concerned they will lose opportunities, and we are concerned about their safety. Every single step of the way, parents have been ignored. In a state that claims that we are all about parental rights, that is an absolute slap in the face.”
One educator described visiting a Miami school where a co-located charter led to an immediate drop in enrollment at the existing school. Staff positions were lost along with programs for remaining students who felt displaced within their own building. The educator called on legislators “to repeal the co-location provision…If you want hope, you need to invest in the schools that serve every child that walks through the door.”
Speakers also addressed teacher retention issues tied to job security: “Every year we lose educators because without multiyear contracts there’s nothing to stop educators from leaving the profession for more stable work. On paper, it looks like a staffing issue. In real life, it’s a student issue. Students need a stable learning environment. They need teachers who stay long enough to build relationships and grow programs. Teachers needs to focus on teaching, not whether they will have a job next year.”
Concerns were raised regarding working conditions for educational staff professionals: “When education staff professionals are overworked, underpaid, and leaving public education altogether, students lose stability…We are asking lawmakers to strengthen…public education. That means real investment in funding…starting with fair and sustainable wages for education staff professionals.”
The impact on rural communities was highlighted by another speaker from Hardee County: “In my rural community Hardee County…the school district isn’t just a place where kids learn…When our schools struggle our entire community feels it…If we want strong schools…we need lawmakers to act.”
Another participant commented on budget priorities: “Budgets are a reflection of priorities and our budget in the state of Florida has reflected the priorities of billionaires and corporations for far too long…”
Public higher education challenges were also discussed: “Public higher education in Florida is under attack…Students are facing serious learning challenges because their instructors are being targeted by lawmakers…”
For those interested in tracking specific bills related to these issues during this legislative session they can visit FEA’s bill tracker at FEAweb.org/session.
The FEA represents approximately 120,000 members including PreK-12 teachers as well as higher education faculty throughout Florida.
