Gadsden County teachers to get a pay raise

Gadsden County School Board approved raises for teachers last week.

The recently ratified 2021-2022 collective bargaining agreement increases the salary of a beginning teacher from $38,115 to $45,000.

Superintendent of Schools Elijah Key said he did not participate in the negotiations, but he is pleased with the outcome.

He said the board approved the raises after only one round of negotiations.

Key said 100 percent of the classroom teachers received raises and said at least 80 percent received a $4,000 or more annual raise.

The increases range from 3 to 18 percent.

Key said the raises were made possible by cutting costs.

“We’re trying to keep employee numbers down, matching the number of employees to students that we have,” Key said.

He said he hopes this latest move will move Gadsden County closer to becoming a model school district.

“I feel great about it,” Key said. “It gives us an opportunity to retain great teachers that we have and bring the great teachers that we lost back home.”

Key said increasing salaries isn’t the only plan for retaining and attracting high-quality teachers.

He said the district is also working on professional development.

“We have to do our part treating them with the utmost respect that’s due to them and provide them with the support that they need,” Key said.

The district still has many vacant teacher positions.

Key said the district has been reaching out to Florida State University, Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University and Flagler College to recruit teachers to fill in the gaps.

Gadsden County Classroom Teachers Association President Judith Mandela said the agreement is bittersweet.

Mandela said the district’s priority was getting new teachers in the district.

“We reached an agreement because all teachers received an increase,” Mandela said. “It was not equal, but it was digestible for now.”

Mandela said experienced teachers need to be adequately compensated.

“Teachers at all levels have left the district, so it will be important to find ways to value all teachers,” Mandela expressed. “Gadsden County Classroom Teachers Association will continue to work with the district and advocate for valuable professional development, adequate student and teacher resources, performance incentives for students and teachers, retention bonuses and clean and inviting schools so that we can retain new and experienced educators.”

Mandela said Gadsden County Classroom Teachers Association recognized the importance of raising the minimum salaries because of the mandates of the governor.

“The contract was not perfect, but it was a move in the right direction,” Mandela added.

Although he didn’t give a date, Key said the district must move starting teacher’s salaries to the Governor Ron DeSantis’ recommended $47,500 minimum salary for classroom teachers in the near Future.

Key also mentioned the district is now negotiating salaries with non-instructional employees.

Erin Hill - erin@gadsdencountytimes.com

Gadsden County teachers to get a pay raise

Tau Zeta Amicae of Quincy paints the square purple

Chili Cook-Off and Car Cruise-In to raise money for Havana Police Department’s Christmas toy drive

Chili Cook-Off and Car Cruise-In to raise money for Havana Police Department’s Christmas toy drive

Recommended

Gadsden County Extension Column‘Orangedog’ caterpillar today, giant swallowtail tomorrow

Celebrating the connection between urban and rural communities during Farm City Week

Popular News

Quincy commissioners address social media photo, investigation into utility department deposits

County commissioners approve property tax increase, despite pushback

PumpkinFest brings fall fun to Downtown Havana this weekend

Farm Credit of Northwest Florida announces the 2026 AgVocator Scholarship Program

Court curbs searches based on pot smell

Newsletter

Category

Site Links

About Us

Welcome Back!

Create New Account!

Retrieve your password

Are you sure want to unlock this post?

Are you sure want to cancel subscription?

Gadsden County teachers to get a pay raise

Support local journalism. Subscribe to The Gadsden County Times.

Subscribe

Tau Zeta Amicae of Quincy paints the square purple

Chili Cook-Off and Car Cruise-In to raise money for Havana Police Department’s Christmas toy drive

Recommended

Popular News

Newsletter

Category

Site Links

About Us

Welcome Back!

Create New Account!

Retrieve your password

Are you sure want to unlock this post?

Are you sure want to cancel subscription?