VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Changes might be coming to teachers in Volusia County schools as school districts will no longer receive the COVID-19 funding they had in the past.

What You Need To Know

  • Volusia County like all other districts in the state of Florida, received federal funding (ESSER) over the last few years to mitigate funding gaps created by the COVID-19 pandemic

  • Over the last few years, VCS received approximately $200 million in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief, known as ESSER funding, but this funding will expire in September this year

  • Teachers Union Volusia United Educators (VUE) sent an email containing 17 questions to district leaders regarding allocation process for the 2024-25 school year

  • The district said a teacher in a position that may no longer be available at one school may transfer to another school or teach a different subject in which they are certified

As teachers in Volusia County came back from spring break on Monday, the president of the Volusia United Educators (VUE) Elizabeth Albert said there is concern among teachers.

“There is some fear and anxiety about the unknown,” she said.

Over the last few years, VCS received approximately $200 million in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief, known as ESSER funding, but this federal funding will expire in September this year.

“That’s where the cutback comes in. And so now we just have to get back on track and have a balanced budget,” School Board Member for District 4 Carl Persis said.

The district has decided to change its staffing models to reflect the funding received. Instead of returning to a district-driven model, schools will be able to allocate staff according to students’ interests and needs within their budget. The district said with this adjustment in the allocation process, they will continue to offer a full continuum of programs and electives within the district.

“The good news is that we will not be laying off any teachers. However, there will be teachers that may be displaced from one school but will have the opportunity to work at another school,” Persis said.

This means teachers in a position that may no longer be available at one school may transfer to another school or teach a different subject in which they are certified.

VCS said the number of teachers who may be “displaced” (i.e. who may transfer or fulfill a different role) is smaller than the number of expected vacancies (after retirements and resignations), so they will continue to have jobs available for teachers who are displaced. 

Right now, the district is dealing with 62 teacher vacancies.

Albert said teachers have shared concerns about the implications of this change. 

“How can there be assurances, unequivocally provided, that folks will not stand to lose their position? We don’t want anyone to lose their position, mind you. But what we do know is that there will be some effects from this change,” she said.

Albert said she sent the district a letter containing a list of 17 questions VUE has received due to the change in the allocation process for the 2024-25 school year. She says there is a concern that moving teachers to a different subject than what they usually teach can also have an impact on student achievement. 

“And so, if we’re setting up the adults to be compromised, that only results in negative impacts to the children,” Albert said. “So, we just want to make sure that everybody is in the place where they’re best suited to be.”

Albert said VUE received an answer from the district to their email, and they are expected to meet on Tuesday with the superintendent and her team to ask additional questions about this process.