ORLANDO, Fla. — Teachers in Orange County rallied Tuesday for better pay after they say the school district is offering an insulting raise. 

Howard Middle School art teacher Clinton McCracken used his drawing skills to show his and other teachers’ frustrations with the Orange County Public Schools district, by making signs for the rally. 

The school district said it could only afford to offer teachers a $25 cost-of-living adjustment.

“As we all know, the cost to live here is going up significantly, and so many teachers are leaving — what do they call it, The Great Resignation? —  that we’re really in a crisis mode,” McCracken said. 

McCracken has recently seen teachers from his school and many others leaving the profession. 

He has taught in Orange County, but pandemic struggles, coupled with low pay, have him doubting his commitment. 

“I’m dedicated to my career, but I have looked online,” McCracken said. “I have looked at other options and kept my eyes open.”

As a counter to the teachers’ protest of the proposed pay increase, district officials pointed out that they are offering teachers thousands in bonuses. 

Combined that offer, district officials said the average teacher in Orange County would make more than the average teacher in any other Central Florida school district. 

But McCracken said that doesn’t make up for the fact that $25 doesn’t even begin to help with Orange County’s cost of living. 

He’s hoping the teachers’ rally will help people see that. 

“I’m hoping we can change some hearts and minds,” he said. 

Spectrum News reached out to other Central Florida school districts to see what they’re offering their teachers this year to compare. 

Some districts, like Seminole, are still negotiating, but others, such as Volusia and Brevard counties, have agreed with their unions on compensation packages similar to those offered in Orange County. 

Since the teachers’ union and OCPS can't agree, they'll go to an impasse hearing that's scheduled for Jan. 5.