Pinellas County teachers are being asked to do more with less—again. The school district has proposed a 0.7% raise for teachers this year, far below the 3.3% increase in the local cost of living. That means educators are effectively taking a pay cut while housing, insurance, and basic living expenses continue to rise.

The Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association has made a reasonable request: a 3.5% raise that simply keeps up with inflation. These are the same teachers who show up every day for our kids, manage overcrowded classrooms, and go above and beyond despite staffing shortages and limited resources. They deserve more than praise—they deserve pay that reflects their essential role in our community.

Superintendent Kevin Hendrick and Deputy Superintendent Stephanie Woodford have acknowledged how hard it is to recruit and retain teachers in today’s housing market. Yet the district continues to rely on a voter-approved property tax referendum to supplement salaries, rather than fully committing to sustained, reliable wage increases through the contract. Referendum dollars are temporary; our teachers’ commitment is not.

We understand the district is facing financial challenges, but balancing the budget on the backs of underpaid teachers is not a solution. Without real investment in our educators, Pinellas risks an even deeper teacher shortage, declining school quality, and more families leaving the district entirely.

We, the undersigned, call on Superintendent Kevin Hendrick, the Pinellas County School Board, and Florida lawmakers to meet the teachers’ contract request for a 3.5% raise—at minimum—and ensure that state funding prioritizes public education and fair pay for our educators.

When we shortchange teachers, we shortchange our kids. Let’s do better—starting now.

Sign this petition to demand fair pay for Pinellas teachers.