Florida’s public school teachers could receive $1,000 bonuses

DORAL, FL – Florida’s public school teachers and principals may receive $1,000 bonuses if the Florida Legislature approves a petition made by state Gov. Ron DeSantis.

DeSantis made the announcement on Wednesday at Palm Harbor University High School where he said if the legislature ok’s a $216 million in funding to give the monetary stimulus, 180,000 full-time teachers and more than 3,600 principals in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade across the state would benefit. 

The money, that aims at supporting and awarding teachers and principals for their sacrifices and efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, would come from the state’s Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER), which is included on the federal CARES Act, reported WPTV. 

“Our Florida teachers and school principals have put student success first throughout the course of the coronavirus pandemic,” DeSantis said as reported by the media. 

If the funding is approved the bonuses would be distributed quickly, although the money isn’t part of the funds being used to increase teacher salaries in the state, reported WESH 2. 

“The past year included so much uncertainty for our state’s students, parents and educators,” DeSantis said as cited by WESH 2. “In Florida, we knew how important it was for our students to return to school, and our principals and teachers answered the call. I urge the Florida Legislature to join me in awarding our great educators through this bonus program as a show of gratitude for their actions and hard work.”

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