Parents and teachers react to Hillsborough County schools salary increase – CBS Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. (CW44 News At 10) — Hillsborough County teachers could soon get a one-year pay raise.

The district has agreed to an increase ranging from approximately $800 to $2,000 for teaching employees for this school year.

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“It’s just not enough overall,” said Nicole Baldwin, a teacher at Hillsborough County Schools.

That’s what many Hillsborough County teachers are saying about the attempted district-wide pay raise.

“No contract negotiations, or no negotiations concluded until February, and then what’s on offer is not what we expected, it feels like a slap in the face,” Baldwin said.

The increase announced Monday is for the 2021-22 school year only and is between $799 and $2,200.

It is given to teachers, counselors, school psychologists and social workers in Hillsborough County.

“We haven’t had a cost of living increase in years, as gas prices go up, rent prices go up, everything goes up, we’re still back to where it all was a while ago. five years,” Baldwin said.

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Baldwin, says she’s upset it took the district so long to come up with the raise for the school year, and she says the amount of money they’re giving teachers doesn’t make up for the amount of work that they make.

“This year we have to deal with constantly quarantining children left and right, having to give them makeup work, or working from home or working on canvas, as well as teaching our children in person” , Baldwin said.

Baldwin says even with the small increase, it won’t make much of a difference.

“I actually do Uber Eats as a second job on the side, and I have kids at home, so it’s tough,” Baldwin said.

The district says the salary increase deal still needs to be approved by the Hillsborough County School Board. One parent, Brooke Elkins, says if teachers don’t feel appreciated, it will eventually have an impact on students.

“Teacher compensation has an impact on teacher morale. Teacher morale is going to impact your attitude, your ability to do your job to the best of your ability,” Elkins said.

She hopes the district will make major financial changes for its employees.

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“I don’t think that’s what they deserve, I don’t think that’s their due,” Elkins said.