BY: STAFF REPORT | BocaNewsNow.com
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2023 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — Teachers in Palm Beach County will soon be making more money. The School Board just approved the largest raise in decades, according to the school district which issued this statement:
The Palm Beach County School Board approved this historic raise, averaging 7% and including a one-time 3% bonus for instructional employees, on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, after the District reached an agreement with the Palm Beach County Classroom Teachers Association (CTA).
“Our educators work tirelessly on behalf of our students, and we were thrilled to propose this historic pay increase to the Classroom Teachers Association,” Superintendent Mike Burke said. “This well-deserved raise reflects the largest increase in teacher pay in over 25 years. We are fortunate to have the resources this year to make it possible. The School Board always prioritizes teacher compensation in the budget and this raise demonstrates our appreciation for our dedicated teachers. We hope this also helps us recruit more high-quality teachers.”
This average 7% raise is performance-based, as outlined by State laws governing educator compensation. This record-breaking raise follows an average 3.5% increase for the last two school years (2021-2022 and 2022-2023), and an average 3% increase in the 2020-2021 school year. Eligible District instructional staff will continue to receive the voter-approved referendum additional supplement of up to $10,000 per year that has been in place since the District’s fiscal year 2020.
An estimated total of $95.2 million will be devoted to this teacher pay increase. If approved by the Board, the agreement is expected to be ratified in mid-October. Teachers should then see the increase in their paychecks beginning in November 2023.
