The exterior of the Lee County Public Education Center at 2855 Colonial Blvd. in Fort Myers.
The School District of Lee County declared an impasse in contract negotiations with the Teachers Association of Lee County after eight months of bargaining.
The district says $3.6 million remains unresolved and proposes using it to raise starting salaries to $55,300 and provide additional increases.
The dispute comes as Lee schools contend with declining enrollment and budget pressures that led to the realignment of about 275 teaching positions earlier this year. The district also committed $18 million to incentives for teachers in critical-need subjects and harder-to-staff schools.
TALC President Kevin Daly has argued teacher pay remains a retention issue and previously criticized relying on incentives rather than putting more money into permanent salaries.
The parties can continue negotiating during the impasse process.
For more on teacher pay, staffing and retention challenges in Southwest Florida, read Gulfshore Business’ in-depth coverage by clicking here.
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