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Dear John,

The House and Senate have released their initial budget plans – so the horse trading begins.  It is very important that they hear from you quickly before these negotiations are over.  Whether we like it or not, in the Legislature the squeaky wheel gets the most attention.
Contact your legislators TODAY!
We need our legislators to know:
  • We appreciate that they are focusing on salaries not bonuses, but they need to be reminded there is much work left to be done to ensure our students are receiving a high quality education.
  • It is great progress that the Legislature is talking about investing over one-half billion dollars directly into educator salaries this year, but it will take a sustained commitment over the next few years to make up for over a decade of underfunding.
  • All educators must be included. Some plans have accounted only for “classroom teachers,” but there are many additional personnel who are vital to student success. Whether it is instructional personnel such as counselors, media specialists, and teachers aides or non-instructional personnel such as clerical, maintenance, and bus drivers, all Florida’s educators are deserving of a significant investment in their salary.
  • Restoring local control to districts is just as important. A large part of the reason veteran teachers’ pay has been stagnant are legislative restrictions regarding salary increases. Lawmakers need to repeal regulations that mandate how salary increases are provided.
 
With your help we are making progress with our legislators – but we must keep their attention on what matters most. Call and write your legislators today!
 
Thank you for being part of making sure our students receive the very best education possible.
In Solidarity,
 
Fedrick C. Ingram
Fedrick C. Ingram, President
Florida Education Association
NEA, AFT, AFL-CIO
 
Follow me on—
FLORIDA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION | WWW.FEAWEB.ORG | #FUNDOURFUTUREFL

Fedrick Ingram, FEA President

213 S. Adams St., Tallahassee, FL 32301

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