Teachers, parents press Lee County school board on pay and proposed longer school day

Dozens of teachers, parents and students told the School Board of Lee County on May 6 that any extension of the school day should include higher pay and better staffing.

The speakers — teachers with decades of experience and representatives of the teachers’ union TALC — said the district’s bargaining proposal to add minutes to the school day would amount to increased work without commensurate pay. “We will not be pitted against each other. Teachers are united in demanding fairness. Respect our work. Fund our schools. Pay us fairly,” said Dr. Christina Chiderski, identified in public comment as a Lee County teacher of 23 years.

Why it matters: Board members and staff acknowledged the district is in active bargaining with employee groups. Commenters argued that lengthening the work day without corresponding compensation would worsen recruitment and retention at a time when teachers report frequent vacancies and substitute shortages. Several teachers said they juggle second or third jobs to make ends meet.

Public comments described the local impact. Ben Anderson, a teacher and parent, said retaining teachers is essential to maintain classroom continuity. “If we can’t retain teachers, we won’t be,” he said. Multiple speakers, including Latanya Starks of TALC and longtime classroom teachers such as Lisa Taylor and Charla Fox, urged the board to use existing budget capacity to increase salaries rather than asking teachers to add time for no additional pay.

Other speakers connected staffing gaps to student services: Dr. Chiderski said an ESE (exceptional student education) teacher had been absent since February and a Kelly substitute was covering her daughter’s class, leaving vulnerable students without consistent specialized instruction. Sergio Cruz, a parent and advocate for students with disabilities, cautioned against increasing remote or teletherapy services for children who require in-person therapy, saying consistent, direct relationships are vital for those students.

Board response and context: Board members listened during the public comment period but did not adopt new policy or a pay package at the May 6 meeting. The board emphasized it is constrained by the ongoing bargaining process and noted that contract and legal obligations limit public discussion of bargaining matters during a public meeting. Deputy Superintendent Kenneth Savage and board members acknowledged receipt of public input and said the district will continue bargaining and follow statutory and contractual steps.

What was not decided: The board did not vote on contract changes, salary increases, or the specific proposal to add daily minutes at the May 6 meeting. Speakers requested raises, used personnel data and budgetary concerns to argue for different allocations, and asked the board to prioritize pay increases in upcoming negotiations.

Bottom line: Teachers and union representatives urged the board to pair any extension of teacher work time with pay increases and to address staffing shortages; the board took public comment but made no formal change to bargaining positions at this meeting.