Governor Ron DeSantis signs five bills that benefit teachers

DORAL, FL – Governor Ron DeSantis signs five bills that benefit teachers in Florida at a news conference with state leaders in Miami.  

Senate Bill 256, House Bill 477, House Bill 1537, House Bill 1035 and House Bill 379 were signed at the True North Classical Academy where Lt. Governor Jeanette Nuñez, Florida House Speaker Paul Renner and Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz were also present. 

He also signed a bill approving $1.05 billion for teacher pay increases, a $252 million increase over the current record, while stated the plan is to recruit new teachers to the state.

“We were in the bottom half of states for average minimum salary, now we’re in the top 10 states for average minimum salary,” DeSantis said. “We’re excited about that.”

Among the extensive measures signed today, one of them is known as the “Teachers’ Bill of Rights” or House Bill 1035, which will give educators the right to teach in a safe and orderly classroom.

“Teachers think if they discipline a student that people are going to go after them for just keeping order,” DeSantis said. “So, we’re going to make sure that they have an ability to do that.”

In addition, the five bills that benefit teachers include prohibiting teachers’ unions from deducting dues directly from employees’ paychecks, imposes term limits on school board members from 12 to eight years and grants teachers the authority to set rules on cell phone use in the classroom. 

Other approved changes are extending temporary teaching certificates from three to five years; and taking social media out of the classroom and TikTok out of schools.

“Through these pieces of legislation, we are providing educators competitive compensation, professional development and instructional supports, flexible pathways into the profession, and the tools for our teachers to maintain order in the classroom,” Nuñez said as cited by News4 Jax.

“As a mom, I’m particularly grateful for the Governor and Legislature’s focus on getting social media out of the classroom and giving teachers the benefit of the doubt when maintaining safety in the classroom.”

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