St. Johns County educators and parents demand change for teacher salary

ST. JOHNS, Fla. — Teacher pay is once again front and center in the St. Johns County School District.

Tonight, teachers and advocates showed up in full force at a school board meeting to fight for more pay.

Members of the Facebook group ‘Save Our Schools – St. Johns County’ showed up to make their voices heard loud and clear.

“We keep coming because the problem is not being solved,” parent, Tatyana Kovaleva said.

Dozens of people showed support for teacher pay at tonight’s St. Johns County school district meeting. Parents and teachers were wearing ‘Red for Ed.” Something they’ve been doing for several months.

“I’m very hopeful this is the last meeting I’m wearing red and that this issue will be resolved tomorrow,” Kovaleva said during public comment.

Action News Jax told you previously that St. Johns County teachers received a pay funding boost last year. This increased the base pay for teachers to a minimum of $47,500.

“Most of us work second jobs, third jobs,” teacher Marigene Mason said.

“Something livable, because it’s hard to live in St. John’s County,” teacher Sonia Jersey, said.

Mason has been a teacher in St. Johns County since 2009. And she says a lot has changed since then.

“Much more demanding without support – you don’t feel supported,” Mason said.

Plus, there is the issue of safety.

“All the time, you’re always thinking about who can come through that door?” Jersey said. “What can happen? Are we safe? How can we keep our students safe? So, there is just a lot of stress.”

As a parent, Kovaleva says she knows teachers carry a big weight on their shoulders – protecting and teaching children is no easy task.

“We ask them to look for the signs when the kids are not alright,” Kovaleva said during public comment.” And the only they expect is to get some decent pay and we cannot provide.”

Kovaleva adds she is concerned about losing good teachers.

“We are very grateful for the teachers of our school district because we believe their role is fundamental in making the school district number one in Florida,” Kovaleva said. “And we are proud of being a part of this community.”

Tomorrow the St. Johns County School district is allowing for negotiations on this topic – in an effort to find a solution to this problem.

St. Johns County teachers will continue their fight for better pay tomorrow. There’s a negotiation session between the school district and the St. Johns Education Association. The session is at the auditorium of the Fullerwood training center in St. Augustine tomorrow at 5 pm.

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