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Parents and teachers urge the Pinellas board to address substitute pay, nonrenewals and a classroom antisemitism complaint
Summary
During public comment the board heard concerns about low substitute pay and shortages, teacher nonrenewals and employee morale, and a reported antisemitic remark in a history class; speakers asked the district to follow up with affected families and staff.
Several members of the public used the April 14 comment period to press the board on staffing and climate issues. Lisa Jones, a retired teacher who now substitutes in the district, said substitute staffing shortages are common and that middle-school substitutes earn $16.33 an hour after a recent reduction; she argued the rate is insufficient with Florida’s minimum wage changes and urged the district and unions to explore supports for substitutes.
Tracy McConnell, vice president of PCTA, told the board that while she values the district’s strengths, employee-satisfaction survey results are down and many annual-contract teachers face nonrenewals. McConnell cited nonrenewal figures mentioned in her remarks—168 teachers nonrenewed last year and 165 so far this year—and urged the district to find transfers or other ways to retain effective teachers.
Community member Amy Schoeneck described a conversation at a community seder in which a 15-year-old student relayed that a history teacher ended a lecture by saying, "and you can thank the Jews for that." Schoeneck said the student did not report the remark for fear of being targeted and that she had emailed the superintendent and the school principal; she asked the board to address the concern.
Board staff acknowledged the public comments and the superintendent earlier reported that the district will follow up on concerns raised; the meeting record indicates the district will refer concerns to appropriate staff as part of follow-up.
