Higher Teacher Pay Is Goal Of Florida's GOP Senators

By Jessica L. Sandham

Florida school groups are applauding an education budget proposal by the state Senate's Republican leaders that would give districts enough money for an 8 percent increase in teachers' salaries, while providing financial incentives for teachers who agree to serve in the state's lowest-performing schools.

Unveiled on March 17, the proposed budget for fiscal 2001 would provide more money for schools—and less money for tax cuts—than either of the plans proposed by Gov. Jeb Bush or the Republican leadership in the House of Representatives. The new fiscal year begins on July 1.

In addition to putting forward their budget, Senate Republicans last week took a step toward addressing the state's projected teacher shortage. Citing a need to fill an estimated 24,000 vacancies in Florida over the next 10 years, they mailed questionnaires to a sampling of the 72,000 residents statewide who are below retirement age and certified to teach, but not...