ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The Orange County School Board heard arguments Wednesday from both the school district and teachers union to resolve a dispute over pay during an impasse hearing. 

This comes after both the union and the district rejected certain recommendations from a special magistrate. 

Orange County middle school teacher Clinton McCracken prepared Wednesday for the hearing by voicing some remarks at the school board hearing. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Orange County School Board heard arguments Wednesday from both the school district and teachers union to resolve a dispute over pay during an impasse hearing. 

  • Orange County middle school teacher Clinton McCracken says he’s seen more teachers he knows leave the profession now than ever before in his 20 years in education, after being fed up with working conditions and low pay during the pandemic. 

  • According to the district, their offer would give teachers between $3,525 - $6,675 in salary supplement, bonus and salary increase for the 2021-22 school year depending on years of service and performance evaluation. But the majority of that comes from bonuses. 

All of this, the culmination of a long fight between the district and the teacher’s union over fair pay. 

​“Today’s the day they have an opportunity to make things right for teachers,” McCracken said. 

Clinton says he’s seen more teachers he knows leave the profession now than ever before in his 20 years in education, after being fed up with working conditions and low pay during the pandemic. 

“Several friends of mine who’ve left this year for other opportunities, other careers where the pay is much better and the appreciation is much more,” McCracken said. 

Now add to that the recent spike in COVID-19 cases among students and staff and the hundreds of teachers who called out sick after the winter break. 

“The virus is definitely going to be spreading through our schools and we’re concerned about that,” he said. 

And with more infections Union president Wendy Doromal says the problem with covering all classes will only get worse. 

“We expect to see more and more absences and some schools that will probably have to close because there aren’t enough subs, there aren’t enough teachers,” Doromal said. 

Both say they hope the school board will listen to their speeches and make teachers feel appreciated, before even more of them leave. 

According to the district, their offer would give teachers between $3,525 - $6,675 in salary supplement, bonus and salary increase for the 2021-22 school year depending on years of service and performance evaluation.

But the majority of that comes from bonuses. 

Lawyers for both sides are presenting cases right now and we’ll update you as soon as the school board reaches a decision.