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Support staff and teachers press Hernando board on pay as prosecutor offers free teen driver‑safety training

Hernando County School Board · November 18, 2025
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Summary

At the Hernando County School Board meeting, union president Thomas Kelly urged better wages for non‑instructional staff, while teacher Misty Lushott criticized small proposed raises; Assistant State Attorney Rob Lewis offered to provide free driver‑safety training aligned with Florida statute 100.42.

Several members of the public used the citizen input portion of the Nov. 18 Hernando County School Board meeting to press the district on employee compensation and student safety.

Thomas Kelly, president of Hernando United School Workers, told the board his union represents more than 1,000 non‑instructional employees — paraprofessionals, clerical staff, food and nutrition, transportation, maintenance and custodial workers — and said many are living paycheck to paycheck. "These folks are surely the backbone of this county," Kelly said, urging the board to help retain employees and warning of a looming shortage of skilled maintenance and trades staff if wages do not improve.

Misty Lushott, who said she has worked in the district in various roles since 1989, criticized recent raise offers for classroom teachers. She said an initial offer of $470 and a later increase to $700 amounted to negligible percentages of her salary (she characterized them as 0.007% and 0.011%, respectively) and said the average teacher raise was about 0.8%. Lushott warned veteran teachers are leaving and described difficulties with out‑of‑pocket medical costs under current insurance.

Robert (Rob) Lewis, an assistant state attorney and adjunct faculty member at PHSC, offered a voluntary, no‑cost presentation and workshop for teen drivers on how to interact safely with law enforcement during traffic stops. Lewis said the training focuses on calm, practical procedures and aligns with Florida Statute 100.42 (health and safety in education). The chair and staff invited Lewis to provide contact information so the district can follow up.

Board members thanked speakers for their testimony; members said they hear community concerns and expressed appreciation for staff and student volunteers who have supported recent events. No formal board action on compensation or scheduling of school‑wide safety sessions was recorded at the meeting.