Parents, educators, and students from across Florida gathered to urge the state Legislature to focus on strengthening public schools. The Florida Education Association (FEA) organized the event to highlight concerns about current education policies and to call for legislative action that would benefit students, parents, educators, and communities.
Andrew Spar, President of the FEA, stated: “As educators, parents, and students across the state know, Florida is not fulfilling the constitutional requirement it has. But Legislators have a chance to do so. This session, lawmakers have several bills before them that will improve learning conditions for Florida’s public-school students. We want lawmakers to act on behalf of our public-school students, uphold their constitutional right to a free, high-quality public education, and help educators do the jobs they love and want to do.”
Participants pointed out several legislative proposals addressing issues such as wage compression for veteran teachers, salary flexibility, multiyear contracts, extended teaching certificates, recognition of advanced degrees, and increased accountability for voucher programs. While some of these measures have progressed in the Senate, they have yet to be scheduled for consideration in the House.
Over two decades, critics say lawmakers have enacted restrictions that add burdens on educators while directing significant funding toward private school vouchers and allowing charter schools to share space with public schools. According to FEA members and supporters at the event, these actions divert resources from already underfunded public schools and weaken educational opportunities for students.
Damaris Allen, Executive Director of Families for Strong Public Schools, addressed concerns over charter schools operating within public school facilities: “Parents have made it abundantly clear—especially when it comes to charter schools co-locating in our public schools—that we are against harmful policies like Schools of Hope. We are concerned about the future of our students, we are concerned they will lose opportunities, and we are concerned about their safety. Every single step of the way, parents have been ignored. In a state that claims that we are all about parental rights, that is an absolute slap in the face.”
The FEA encouraged those interested in tracking related legislation to visit their website at FEAweb.org/session.
Other speakers described challenges faced by local communities when charter schools co-locate with traditional public schools. One educator shared: “In Miami, I had the opportunity to visit a school where, after a co-located charter opened, dozens of students disappeared from the roles almost overnight. The school lost staff positions, lost programs, and the children who remained felt like guests in their own school buildings. Educators see the tensions in the hallway, the confusion for families…So today I’m simply calling on our legislators to repeal the co-location provision…If you want hope you need to invest in the schools that serve every child that walks through the door.”
Staffing instability was another major concern raised at the event: “Every year we lose educators because without multiyear contracts there’s nothing to stop educators from leaving…Students need a stable learning environment…Teachers needs to focus on teaching not whether they will have a job next year.”
Speakers also emphasized how low pay and difficult working conditions affect educational staff professionals: “When education staff professionals are overworked underpaid and leaving public education altogether students lose stability consistency and access to essential services…Strong public schools require stable experienced and supported staff not burnout turnover and vacancy signs…”
In rural areas such as Hardee County—where school districts are often major employers—the impact is especially pronounced: “In my rural community Hardee County…the school district isn’t just a place where kids learn…When our schools struggle our entire community feels it…If we want strong schools strong families and a strong rural economy we need lawmakers to act.”
Another participant commented on budget priorities: “Budgets are a reflection of priorities and our budget in the state of Florida has reflected the priorities of billionaires and corporations for far too long at the expense of…children…”
Concerns were also raised about higher education policy changes affecting faculty freedom: “Public higher education in Florida is under attack…Students are facing serious learning challenges because their instructors are being targeted by lawmakers…This climate of fear will result in students not learning…due to censorship…”
The FEA represents 120,000 members including PreK-12 teachers faculty at colleges universities educational staff professionals student teachers and retired employees.
