Governor of Florida Ron DeSantis has announced plans to increase the minimum starting salary for teachers in Florida, raising annual wages from $37,636 (£29,941.88) to $47,500 (£37,789.34).
The suggested pay rise, which could benefit more than 101,000 teachers working in the state, forms part of DeSantis’ proposed 2020 budget recommendation.
DeSantis said: “We are experiencing a teacher shortage in Florida. With a strong economy and plenty of jobs available in other fields, unfortunately too many college graduates are unwilling to enter the teaching profession.
“My proposal to increase the minimum salary for teachers to $47,500 will help alleviate this shortage and elevate the teaching profession to the level of appreciation it deserves. This is long overdue and I look forward to working with the legislature to make this a reality.”
The governor announced the planned pay increase during a visit to Middleburg High School, Clay County, in October 2019; he was joined by commissioner of education Richard Corcoran and senate appropriations chairman Rob Bradley.
Richard Corcoran, commissioner of education, added: “Getting a great teacher in front of every child is the number one proven way to get great outcomes for students. Governor Ron DeSantis is elevating Florida’s teachers like never before and is making a statement nationally that Florida is the education state and he is the education governor.
“Florida going from number 26 to number two in the nation [for] starting pay sends a clear signal to Florida’s teachers and our entire education family that we are ready to celebrate our teachers and foster lifelong success for our students.”