Legislators are heading back to Tallahassee to finalize an education budget. They need to hear from as many Floridians as possible that we want them to fully fund and strengthen our public schools.
Far too many lawmakers say they support educators and public education. As much as we want to believe them, actions speak louder than words. This session, legislators were given a chance to provide meaningful and sustainable solutions that would help fund public schools and invest in educators. They were given a chance to provide solutions, but their work is incomplete. Today, we are asking them to come back to the table and show up for educators and public schools.
They’ve proposed a budget that slashes funding for college and career prep courses, keeps Florida #50 in the nation in average teacher pay, and diverts $4 billion in taxpayer funds to corporate voucher schools. To put that into perspective, if that $4 billion stayed in public schools it would be enough to give every educator a $15,000 raise
We need lasting, common-sense solutions for public education. As legislators look at the budget, they still have the opportunity to make sure that public schools are protected.
As educators, we never give up on our students- now it’s time for legislators to not give up on us. Ask legislators to use whatever budget process they can to finally address salary flexibility, multiyear contracts and funding.
Email your legislator today and demand they act today.