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Teachers, Polk Education Association press board for 2.5% raise as vacancies top 400
Summary
Educators and union leaders at the Nov. 18 meeting urged the board to approve a 2.5% offer at bargaining and to address a reported shortage of roughly 447 vacancies and 450 long-term substitute assignments, saying retention is urgent ahead of a millage referendum.
Dozens of educators and Polk Education Association leaders used the Nov. 18 public-comment period to press the school board for immediate action on pay and retention.
Stephanie Yocom, president of the Polk Education Association, said bargaining resumes and the union’s proposal includes a 2.5% raise with non-economic commitments; she said comparable Central Florida districts have settled between 2.5% and 4% and urged the district to "dig deep" because millage revenues—if voters approve a future referendum—won't be available for two school years. Yocom said the union expects the board to support bargaining that will retain staff while the referendum is planned.
Multiple classroom teachers described the daily impact of vacancies and long-term substitutes on instruction and special education services. Speakers gave district vacancy figures during comments: “450 Kelly subs covering instructional vacancies” and "447 vacancies," and said that roughly 10% of classrooms lacked a certified teacher. Several teachers said they cannot afford living costs in Polk County and that vacancies drive program erosion (example: agricultural department now run by substitutes after a veteran teacher left for the private sector).
Dr. Theresa McKay asked the board to adopt a policy allowing violent or severely aggressive students to be removed from the classroom for the remainder of the day following a major incident, saying current procedures return students too quickly and leave classrooms unsafe for the rest of the day.
Board members and the superintendent listened and, at least in one case, offered follow-up (staff to follow up with Samuel Talavera on a personnel matter). The public comments underscored urgency ahead of bargaining sessions and the district's broader effort to retain staff while planning a future referendum.
