Teachers in Clay County demand pay raises at school board meeting

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — Teachers and support staff have contact with students every day, but on Thursday many told the board they are no longer making a living wage.

"This is our lives you're messing with," said one teacher.

Nearly 200 Clay County teachers and support staff held signs in protest at Thursday's school board meeting, angry that their expenses, like insurance rates, are up, but their pay isn't.

"Our people are basically making less now than they were in 2005," said Teresa Dixon, president of the Clay Educational Staff Professionals Association.

Earlier this month, teachers and support staff declared impasse on the budget recently passed by the board. That budget includes what Dixon calls a raise for some district staff, but not those in direct contact with students.

"To come to the table and say they have no money is absolutely ludicrous," said Renna Lee Paiva, president of the Clay County Education Association.

Paiva said nearly 80 teaching positions have been closed this year, and enrollment is up, resulting in millions of new dollars from the state, but she said that money isn't being used wisely.

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"No one remembers the computer they used, everybody remembers the teacher they had," said Paiva.

While some district officials have argued that money should go to the district's emergency savings account, which has dwindled to below state requirements recently, teachers and support staff we spoke to say they should be the priority instead.

Gavin Rollins, communications coordinator for the Clay County School District, said the classroom is the priority. He points to the county being ranked second in the state for the percentage of the budget being spent in the classroom. He said programs like arts and music have been restored.

"At some point, there are tough decisions and only limited budgets and that's where you have to balance, because no one wants to be in a situation where there are no funds left."

Rollins said the district tried to meet teachers halfway during the bargaining process. He also says the district cut nearly $1 million from the budget by combining some administrative positions into one.

"There is a slight pay increase, but that's not a pay raise. That is an increase with a different position and title."

Paiva said this was the first of many protests planned in the coming weeks, and while they are angry, she says their frustrations will not effect students in the classroom directly.

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