Key Points
Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS) employees will get a 4% pay increase as part of a new agreement reached between the district and teachers’ union.
According to the contract between ACPS and the Alachua County Education Association (ACEA), teachers and educational support professionals will receive a total 4% raise for the 2025-26 fiscal year. The 4% raise includes an average 1% raise that nearly all employees got at the start of their contract year, according to an ACPS press release.
The pay increase will be “retroactive to the beginning of the contract year,” the release said.
“This was definitely a win for both the district and the ACEA,” Debbie Terry, assistant superintendent for human resources and the district’s chief negotiator, said in the release. “The negotiations were very collaborative. Both sides listened to each other and there was mutual respect shown throughout the bargaining process.”
Both parties said they wanted negotiations done quickly this year after what could be described as a long, contentious 2024-25 bargaining season.
“The ACEA and the ACPS bargaining teams did an amazing and expedited job that we can both be proud of,” ACEA President Carmen Ward said in the release. “I feel that respect to employees was demonstrated, and we will continue to work together to do what is best for the people who serve the students of Alachua County.”
Employees are scheduled to meet on Wednesday, Oct. 29, to ratify the contract.
Assuming the agreement is confirmed, the release states that it will go before the School Board of Alachua County (SBAC) for a vote at its next regular meeting on Nov. 4.
“If approved, the goal is to have the raises and retroactive pay in employees’ first paycheck in November,” the release said.
Nick Anschultz is a Report for America corps member and writes about education for Mainstreet Daily News. This position is supported by local donations through the Community Catalyst for Local Journalism Fund at the Community Foundation of North Central Florida.
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Frustration over the disconnect between the realities of Alachua County’s finances and how our educators are being treated. With some of the highest property taxes in the state of Florida — second only to one other county — residents are doing their part to fund public services. Yet, despite this heavy tax burden, teachers are receiving a 4% raise, barely enough to keep up with inflation, let alone reflect their dedication or the rising cost of living.
When property taxes are among the highest in Florida, it’s reasonable for the community to expect that our educators — the foundation of our children’s future — would be compensated fairly and competitively. Instead, it feels like teachers are being asked to do more each year with less recognition and limited support.
Our county must take a hard look at its priorities. If we can maintain one of the largest tax bases in the state, then surely we can ensure that those shaping the next generation are not left struggling to make ends meet.
If these teachers are so underpaid what do you see as the appropriate salary for a new teacher? Are you prepared to pay more for thiose that can be independently certified as being more effective? As for your property taxes mantra – these teachers are NOT THE ONLY ONES that pay higher-than-average taxes. We ALL DO in Alachua County (and in the city it is even worse) sp please don’t make them out to be some form of modern day martyrs (or “Heroes” which is used ad nauseum these days). They certainly knew the salary scale before they signed their contracts. Alachua County is not (unfortunately) exactly known as the hotbed for “overachievers” in academic circles so perhaps these teachers should whine less and engage these students and parents more? The local Catholic schools as well as most of the private schools do a lot more and get better results (and pay the same property taxes). Quit itchin’ and start focusing on teaching and engaging your students.