Cost of Living Adjustment Email Campaign

Dear ____,

I am writing today in support of OCEA’s proposed 8.7% cost of living adjustment for all educators. As a _____(teacher/staff member/parent/community member)____, I support this increase because I know how much these hard-working professionals deserve it! With costs rising across Osceola, our educators are struggling to keep up.

We all know that teachers spend their own money on supplies and treats for students throughout the entire year. As grocery prices rise, so does the amount that teachers have to put back into their classroom. But it doesn’t stop there. School nurses, techs, Extended Day instructors, paraprofessionals, and so many others pour their unpaid time, energy, and resources into our children’s learning environments.

And when these educators go home with emptier pockets, they are now faced with dramatically rising bills for gas, utilities, rent, and all of the other basic necessities. It is unthinkable for their salaries not to keep pace with this demand.

SDOC has a $1.8 Billion budget with a 13% surplus fund, BUT for teachers with 16 years of experience or less, the pay is just $48,500. And for ESPs, regardless of experience, many are making below poverty wages.

We CANNOT continue like this.

Vacancies are at an all-time high. SDOC lost over 100 teachers alone in the first nine weeks of the school year. There are currently 350+ vacant educator positions across the county. There are literally hundreds of kids who are not getting the education they deserve because teachers are overworked, underpaid, and no longer able to afford to continue.

We know these problems aren’t unique to Osceola. But the solution can be.

With an 8.7% cost of living increase, we will set the standard for fair teacher treatment and truly change the face of education. We can bring hope and energy back to the ones who have given this for so long!

Please support this increase. This IS how we want our taxpayer dollars to be spent!