Governor Signs Florida's Largest Teacher Compensation Package

HIALEAH GARDENS, FL — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a $500 million teacher compensation package Wednesday that promises to boost the state's average minimum salaries for teachers to be among the top five states in the nation.

"One of the pillars of what we wanted to accomplish was we wanted to take Florida from number 26 in the nation for average minimum teacher salary to the top five," DeSantis said before signing Florida House Bill 641 into law at the Mater Academy Charter Middle/High School near Miami.

The governor said the measure includes $100 million for more experienced teachers who already earn more than the average minimum.

"Hopefully by doing something like this, it's going to entice some more people who may be young and thinking about what they want to do, to maybe go into teaching," DeSantis said. "You do it because you have a servant's heart, but it sure makes it easier if you have a good minimum salary, and are able to make ends meet."

Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran predicted the measure would also attract new teachers to Florida from other states.

"Not only does it move us to the top five, it is the single largest teacher compensation package in the history of the state of Florida," Corcoran said.

President Fedrick C. Ingram of the Florida Education Association, which represents the state's teachers, called the measure "especially meaningful" given the current circumstances facing the state.

“We’ve all heard the reports that many issues, including some of the governor’s priorities, are on the chopping block for vetoes," he said. "The decision to leave this investment for Florida’s schools intact is an acknowledgement of the hard work our members do each and every day for Florida’s students."

An association spokesperson told Patch Florida teachers who make less than $47,500 should get a raise, but many will not be bumped all the way up to $47,500.

"That is a multiyear, aspirational goal set forth by the legislature," the spokesperson said. "How the money works out in any district depends on what the district pays its teachers now and how far that county is from the salary goal."

The spokesperson said veteran teachers who make more than the minimum salary goal of $47,500 may or may not get a raise from the measure, depending on their individual situation.