Teachers and union press Clay board on veteran pay, shortages and limits of liability coverage

Several teachers, parent advocates and the Clay County Education Association raised concerns about veteran teacher pay, staffing shortages and misunderstandings about an educator professional‑liability program during public comment at the March 6 school board meeting.

Linda Lyons, identified in her remarks as a resident, told the board that the district’s teacher shortage and current limits on extensions and hiring practices were harming schools’ ability to staff classrooms with experienced teachers. "How do you explain to the classroom teacher who have more responsibilities?" Lyons asked, saying administrators are struggling to fill vacancies and that some positions remain open late into the school year.

Shelly Hughes, a longtime resident whose husband taught in the district, urged the board to consider targeted supplements for veteran teachers. "My daughter is a veteran teacher in this county with well over 20 years of experience and makes about $55,000 a year," Hughes said. She pointed to neighboring counties’ pay supplements and asked the board to pursue creative local solutions to retain experienced staff.

Vicky Kidwell, speaking for the Clay County Education Association (CCEA), said district educators repeatedly identified veteran pay and salary decompression as top bargaining priorities. Kidwell summarized bargaining feedback and noted that while local and state investments have raised the starting salary materially in recent years, average veteran pay in Florida remains low. "The lion's share of those millions was mandated by state law to target only beginning teacher salaries," Kidwell said, urging the district to pursue additional measures for veteran educators.

Liz Crane, a teacher of more than 25 years and a former CCA president, addressed claims circulating among staff about the district’s educator professional‑liability insurance. Crane said teachers are being told they are covered for all wrongful acts; she corrected that the program provides excess coverage only and pays after the district’s primary insurance. Crane also emphasized a $50,000 deductible and said the policy would not cover many situations, including most Professional Practices complaints or false accusations that result in Department of Children and Families involvement.

Superintendent Broski acknowledged the district and state have invested substantially in compensation over the past five years, saying the district directed about $50.56 million additional dollars toward salaries in that period. He told the board members he and the board members "recognize the plight of veteran teachers" but said redirecting funds toward veteran pay depends on available resources and state constraints that initially directed recent increases toward starting pay.

Board members responded in comments and thanked speakers; several reiterated the district’s interest in finding ways to improve veteran compensation and keep experienced teachers in classrooms. No formal changes to salary schedules or bargaining agreements were decided at the meeting; public comment was the avenue used to present concerns and requests to the board.