Gov. Rick Scott talked about his proposal for a $2,500 increase to teachers’ salaries across the state during a visit to Gainesville High School on Thursday morning.
As part of a trip to Tampa, Scott stopped in Gainesville to meet with GHS students and administrators while he toured the school’s Navy Junior ROTC program and the Academy of Health Professions.
After the tour, Scott discussed his plan to raise teachers’ salaries, which is part of his 2013 budget.
Scott also wants to work toward an increase in K-12 education funding.
He said he believes teachers across the state deserve the raise.
“Our state and our school systems are heading in the right direction because of great superintendents, great principals, great teachers, great staff,” he said. “We need to compensate our teachers well and keep them here engaged with our students.”
Scott added that the proposal still needs to go through the state Legislature in Tallahassee.
While many teachers are wary about Scott’s proposal, which he announced Wednesday at a school in Orlando, Karen McCann, president of the Alachua County Education Association, said she isn’t concerned.
She said she believed Scott wouldn’t have declared the proposal if the pay raise wasn’t his intention.
“There are definitely trust issues,” she said, “but I do feel this statement is definitely a step in the right direction.”
McCann said the $2,500 raise will help balance out the 3 percent cut to teachers’ pensions last year.
“It will help contribute to what has been lost,” she said.
For GHS students and administrators, Scott’s visit was a pleasant surprise.
“Any time we have an elected public official come in and talk with teachers and students and see the great things we’re doing in the classroom is a wonderful thing,” GHS Principal David Shelnutt said.
Shelnutt said he felt Scott’s proposal will help improve Florida’s education system.
“I think that all of our elected officials want to try to help our students and the state be as strong as it can be,” he said.
Shannon Patrick, 17, senior class president for GHS, said she was excited to meet Scott during his tour.
“It’s awesome he came to our school,” she said. “He was very personable.”
Alachua County Public School District Superintendent Daniel Boyd Jr. said he thought Scott stopping at GHS and touring the school showed that he cares about education.
“I think it’s an honor and a privilege to host the governor,” he said. “I told the kids that this is one of those things they should never forget.”
