School board authorizes incentive pay for teachers
Up to $10,000 for instructors in critical need subject areas
With a vote from the school board, the School District of Lee County is authorized to pay up to $10,000 in additional incentive pay for teachers in critical need subject areas next school year.
According to the district, the 2026-2027 program will expand on incentive eligibility to teachers at various amounts based upon the risk level, which represents an estimated $18 million in teacher compensation.
“It’s important to note that the price tag for this bonus scheme this year is $18 million, whereas they have only put up $1.5 million of their own money for permanent raises for the 6,000 members of the bargaining unit. This money is also not allowed to be applied to the employees’ pensions and is taxed at a higher rate than salary dollars would be,” Teachers Association of Lee County President Kevin Daly said.
The risk level four school level incentive is $3,000, $7,000 for critical subject/course and $3,500 for complimentary subject/courses.
The risk level four schools include Colonial Elementary, Edgewood Academy, Fort Myers Middle, Franklin Park Elementary, G. Weaver Hipps Elementary, Harns Marsh Elementary, James Stephens Community School, Manatee Elementary, Orange River Elementary, and Tice Elementary.
None are in the West Zone, which includes Cape Coral.
Risk level three school level incentive is $2,000, $6,000 for critical subject/course and $3,000 for complimentary subject/courses.
These schools include Allen Park Elementary, Amanecer Elementary, Dunbar High, East Lee County High, Harns Marsh Middle, Island Coast High, J. Colin English Elementary, Lehigh Elementary, Lemuel Teal Middle, Ray V. Pottorf Elementary, South Fort Myers High, Sunshine Elementary, Varsity Lakes Middle and Villas Elementary.
Risk level two school level incentive is $1,000, $5,000 for critical subject/course and $2,500 for complimentary subject/courses.
Risk level two schools include Bonita Springs Elementary, Caloosa Middle, Hector A. Cafferata Jr. K-8 school, Hancock Creek Elementary, Lehigh Acres Middle, Lehigh Senior High, Mirror Lakes Elementary, Oak Hammock Middle, Orangewood Elementary, San Carlos Park Elementary, Spring Creek Elementary, Tortuga Preserve Elementary, Tropic Isles Elementary and Veterans Park Academy Arts.
The risk level one provides an incentive of $4,000 for critical subject/courses and $2,000 for complimentary subject/courses.
“We are not against this type of thing but believe that it should be negotiated in good faith and a part of real salary dollars that are able to be included in the employees’ pensions. Through negotiations this money would also be permanent, as of now the money and the rules are at the ‘whim of the district,'” Daly said.
The critical subject areas involve state-mandated testing every year in grades third through 10th and play a direct role in measuring student achievement. Due to the building of a direct foundation of complementary subjects, they are also included.
The critical subject areas include English Language Arts and reading courses for third through 10th grade; mathematics courses for grades three through eighth, algebra one, geometry, fifth grade science, eighth grade science, biology one, civics, high school U.S. history, and ESE in-person, self-contained courses.
The complimentary subject list includes kindergarten through second ELA, mathematics, and science courses, third and fourth grade science, sixth through twelfth grade science courses not listed in critical subject area, sixth through 12th grade social studies courses not listed in critical subject area, eleventh and 12th grade English Language Arts and reading courses, ninth through 12th grade mathematics courses not listed in the critical subject area and ESE courses not listed.
“Our goal is to make Lee County an A-rated school district, and that starts with asking our teachers to go where students need them the most. These incentives are essential in retaining the teachers who take on the most challenging and critical roles in our schools. Thanks to the leadership of Gov. DeSantis and the legislature, we have the tools to make that happen,” Superintendent Dr. Denise Carlin said in a prepared statement “We will continue advocating to do what is right for our students, regardless of the pushback from the teachers union leadership.”
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