SEFFNER, Fla. (WTXL) - Governor Ron DeSantis is proposing that $422 million in the state budget go toward bonuses exceeding $9,000 for nearly 45,000 teachers.
Gov. DeSantis made the announcement regarding his teacher pay proposal Thursday in Seffner.
"This new bonus program will reward teachers with bonuses exceeding $9,000 for nearly 45,000 highly effective teachers at schools that grew at least one percent in their grading calculation," DeSantis said during the press conference.
DeSantis' proposal would also include $422 million in the state budget for teacher bonuses and give 1,700 teachers a chance to receive loan forgiveness or tuition waivers if they commit to teaching for at least five years in Florida.
The plan also includes:
- Bonuses of up to $6,500 for principals at schools throughout Florida
Removing the SAT/ACT requirements for teachers to be eligible for a bonus
- Establish the Teacher Talent Pipeline in Florida that aims at recruiting teachers
- Develops a 'Bad Actor List' to prevent school operators who have been sanctioned or shut down by the state from working with Florida schools in the future
The governor's plan would still have to be approved by state legislators before any changes can occur.
