Gov. DeSantis wants to raise Florida teacher starting salary to $47,500

CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — Teachers in Florida could see a big increase in their starting pay.

Teacher Morgan Launikitis told Action News Jax Brittney Donovan every time she sets foot inside her classroom at Middleburg High School, her goal is the same: give her students valuable skills to succeed in life.

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She graduated from Middleburg High and said her own teachers changed her life.

“Really and truthfully, it goes back to the teachers that were here that really believed in me,” she said. “(They told me) you’re going to work a little harder than the kid sitting next to you and that’s OK, and the reason that’s OK is it’s going to bring you to be a stronger adult one day.”

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She joined DeSantis and other county leaders Monday as DeSantis announced he wants to raise minimum salaries for Florida teachers to $47,500.

The $602 million package is part of his proposed budget.

Action News Jax found out the starting salary in Clay and St. Johns County right now is $38,000. In Duval, it's $39,500.

If the increase is passed, starting teachers in Clay County would make $9,500 more than they are making right now.

“If I’m going into education, I’m in it for the outcome of my students rather than the income,” Launikitis said. “But to hear this increase, that is totally exciting.”

DeSantis says higher starting pay for teachers will attract more talent to Florida, helping to address the state-wide teacher shortage.

He said the increase would make Florida’s starting pay among the top five in the nation.

“Bring that enthusiasm back,” Launikitis said. “We don’t make millions but we make a difference in every single person we touch every single day and that is the most important thing to me.”

Action News Jax asked what the increase in minimum pay would mean for veteran teachers, and those already making more than $47,500. We are waiting to hear back.

Cox Media Group