Central Florida educators are better valued from elected leaders

All of Central Florida, we can all agree on one thing. Every child in our state deserves access to world-class, free public education. As educators, it is our job to provide that education – to inspire students, support them in their growth, and to give them the best. But it does not happen in a vacuum, and it does not happen in educators alone. We need communities to support children and families, well-funded schools, and classrooms led by highly trained professionals. Our educational environment is your child’s learning environment. And as we look to the future, it’s clear that our state has a lot to do.

As president of the union of teachers and staff representing more than 71,000 educators in Central Florida, we will unite as each begins to begin contract negotiations for the 2025-2026 school year. What is at stake is not just compensation, but the future of what public education will look like, and the ability to recruit and retain the right educators for students.

For the second year in a row, Florida ranks 50th in the nation for average teacher pay, and Tallahassee has done nothing to fix it. Instead of investing in public schools, state leaders expanded their unregulated voucher schemes that emit public dollars to private institutions with little surveillance. Almost 70% of the new voucher recipients were already attending private schools. That is, taxpayers are currently subsidizing families who were not part of the public system at the expense of nearby schools.

Public schools – the heart of all communities – are resource-hunger. Lawmakers face this reality and have to change courses. But Tallahassee isn’t the only one who needs to do better. Local districts and school boards must also be responsible for how they use the resources they have.

Many districts are expanding their management positions while cutting back on frontline staff. They added a layer of micromanagement that has driven out educators, ignoring urgent calls to improve working conditions. District leaders should choose to invest in teachers and education support staff with salaries, benefits and funding safe and supportive workplaces.

Budgets reflect priorities. Teachers and school staff shouldn’t need to do second and third jobs or ride roommates just to buy rent. Florida educators earn just 78% of other professionals with similar education. Our districts have to look closely at their budgets and ask: do they reflect our values?

Public schools hold our neighborhood together. They give kids a real shot in a better life and keep our community strong. Public schools welcome every student, every dream, every need – and ensure that students can succeed. There are no tuition gatekeeper, entrance exams, or discriminatory restrictions. Public education is a promise. But each year, Tallahassee breaks promises by distracting money from schools, educators and students.

That’s why we stand together to fight for better learning and working conditions. Advocacy for our students is at the heart of what we do. Without strong unions and collective bargaining, there is less protection for educators, fewer classroom resources, and fewer reasons for talented educators to stay. We fight for smaller class sizes, so students will get the necessary attention. We fight for a safe school where all children can learn without fear. We are fighting for fair wages, so educators can live with dignity rather than paying for their wages.

As we head towards transparent collective bargaining, we ask our community to stand with us.

Stand with us as Tallahassee demands that public education be fully funded. Florida should not be the last in teacher pay. We should lead the way.Stand with us when we invite districts and school boards to invest in educators that will shape the future of our students.Stand with us as we hold our leaders accountable – not just for what they say, but for what they are doing.

We love our students. We love school. And we know that the community does that too. Stand with your educator. Stand up against public schools. We stand up to the future of Central Florida.

Rob Creette is the president of the Hillsboro Classroom Teachers Association. This column was co-signed by other presidents of the Central Florida Educators’ Union: Stephanie Jocham (Pork), Thomas Bugos III (Seminole), Elizabeth Albert (Vorcia), Janet Moody (Osceola), Cathy Smith (Lake), Anthony Colucci (Brevald), Clinton McCracken (Brevald) Bryant (Pinellas).