On January 23, a number of teachers attended the Leon County School Board (LCSB) meeting demanding fair compensation. Teachers told stories on behalf of other teachers and themselves, sharing their day-to-day struggles with their current salaries. Many teachers claimed the Board did not value veteran teachers, noting their salaries were not keeping up with the cost of living, and they would be leaving their profession to seek higher paying careers.
In 2020, a state mandate set the beginning teacher salary at $47,500 in order to attract more teachers during the educational staff shortage. Over the last 3 years, additional funds have been allocated towards teacher pay. However, school districts are only allowed to give 20% of the funding towards veteran teachers and 80% to beginning teachers.
Marcy Grauer, a teacher who has worked at Leon County Public Schools for 19 years, said she was recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, and that her salary didn’t cover her cost of living. She stated, “I can’t afford to be out of work to take care of myself and to give myself the rest I need to fight this disease, so every day I show up.” She continued, “I continue to give 110% despite all that I’m going through personally. I’m simply asking you to do the same. I’m asking you to show up for me, to show up for my fellow educators.”