Escambia County, Fla. public school teachers could receive pay raise
By: Summer Poole
Teachers in Escambia County, Fla., public schools could be receiving a pay raise for the 2024-2025 school year.
ECPS, Escambia Education Association, and the Union of Escambia Education Staff Professionals agreed to give teachers and Educational Support employees a raise for the current school year, according to a school system news release.
If the school board approves the pay raise, teachers will receive between an $800 and $3,000 pay raise, determined by the teacher’s current salary and performance ratings from the previous school year.
The release said the new minimum teacher salary would increase from $47,500 to $48,300. Education Support employees would receive a 1% cost-of-living adjustment, and eligible employees would also receive a 2% step roll, according to the release.
School bus operators would receive two step rolls (4%) and other employee groups would receive “pay grade increases” in lieu of a step roll.
School system administrators said when this is ratified and approved by the school board, employees will receive retroactive pay for this school year.
Escambia Education Association President Darzell Warren and Union of Escambia ESP President Nicole Lindsey said they are proud to have secured “meaningful improvements in wages and working conditions.”
“This achievement reflects hours of dedicated effort and a shared commitment to those who serve our schools. While we celebrate this progress, we recognize that our work is far from over. We remain committed to fighting for further improvements that uplift our educators, support staff, and students,” said Warren and Lindsey.
The release said the union will deliver ratification packets containing voting ballots over the next few weeks.
ECPS Chief Negotiator Caroline Gray said, “It is important to make all of our employees aware of the upcoming ratification process. All union members and non-members should be well-informed and participate in the vote. The vote results are presented with the salary increase request for School Board approval.”
Escambia Education Association President Darzell Warren and Union of Escambia ESP President Nicole Lindsey said they are proud to have secured “meaningful improvements in wages and working conditions.”
“This achievement reflects hours of dedicated effort and a shared commitment to those who serve our schools. While we celebrate this progress, we recognize that our work is far from over. We remain committed to fighting for further improvements that uplift our educators, support staff, and students,” said Warren and Lindsey.
The release said the union will deliver ratification packets containing voting ballots over the next few weeks.
ECPS Chief Negotiator Caroline Gray said, “It is important to make all of our employees aware of the upcoming ratification process. All union members and non-members should be well-informed and participate in the vote. The vote results are presented with the salary increase request for School Board approval.”
Gray said voting will likely take place at the end of February and the items will be on the March 18 board meeting agenda.