FLEMING ISLAND, Fla. — Clay County educators have reached their breaking point. Thursday evening, they filled a school board meeting, calling for long-awaited salary increases.

For hours, teachers and their families passionately addressed district officials, with some shedding tears as they voiced their grievances about feeling undervalued for years.

“This is a statement,” one speaker asserted. “It signifies that decades of experience, higher education, and unwavering dedication are regarded as barely worth the scraps.”

Another speaker, who is both a teacher and a parent, as well as an alumnus of Clay County schools, conveyed his disappointment.

“I’m weary of the empty reassurances,” he declared. “Now is the time for tangible results.”

The protesting wasn’t just confined to inside the Teacher Training Center in Fleming Island — people gathered outside to make their frustrations visible to the whole community.

“When it comes to bargaining or wages, it seems like we’re not getting any progress,” said a Clay County school counselor.

With a sign in hand, another speaker, the husband of a teacher, spoke to First Coast News.

“My wife did not get a raise this year despite our property taxes going up,” he said. “Her budget has gone down. Clay County used to be the best county for teachers. That just doesn’t feel like it anymore.”

The tensions escalated after the teachers union declared an impasse in salary negotiations last month. The union says the district’s offer falls short, providing the state-mandated raise of just $400 to $800 a year for veteran teachers with more than a decade of service; those with nine years or less would get nothing.

“It’s really hard for us to keep teachers when they can drive across the bridge and make thousands more,” Clay County Education Association President Vicki Kidwell said. “This is a real threat to our district. We need to keep our teachers here.”

The district issued a statement saying it faces unprecedented budget challenges because of inadequate state funding:

“Our educators are essential partners to Clay County District Schools. We deeply value their dedication, and our goal has always been to provide the most competitive compensation package possible. 

“While we face unprecedented budget challenges – driven by inadequate state funding impacting districts across Florida – our top commitment is working together to find sustainable solutions. The School Board’s immediate priority is stability: safeguarding employee compensation, retaining all staff, and meeting all financial obligations. We have already taken aggressive steps to address the shortfall through reallocation of positions, deep budget cuts, a thorough review of vendor contracts, and launching campaigns to increase student enrollment, but securing funds for additional compensation beyond the state’s Teacher Salary Increase Allocation (TSIA) remains difficult.

“We are resolute in our commitment to our employees and will continue to collaborate as we navigate this challenge as one team.”

Superintendent David Broskie added that increased school vouchers have cost the district $30 million.

Teachers say they aren’t asking for much; just to be able to live and provide for their families.

“Teachers patrol hallways, bus loops, and parking lots,” one teacher said at the meeting. “We de-escalate arguments, notice when a student seems off and step between students and flying furniture, all while teaching, grading and managing the emotional climate of a classroom.”

The next impasse hearing is set for Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. at the Teacher Training Center. It’s a public meeting where both sides will be heard, setting the stage for a fair outcome.