ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Teachers in Pinellas County will be getting a raise after the school board approved a 4.5% increase in pay for all instructional staff at its meeting Tuesday night.

What You Need To Know

  •  After months of negotiations with the PCTA, school board members approved a 4.5% pay raise

  •  Starting pay for teachers in Pinellas County is raised to $52,000

  • Brennen Pickett, a teacher at St. Pete High School, says the raise is still not enough

Brennen Pickett, a teacher at St. Pete High School, said that while teachers appreciate the extra pay, it’s still not enough.

Pickett has taught English in Pinellas County for the last seven years, and when he’s not teaching his students, you’ll find him hosting the PCTA FYRE podcast, where he talks about all the issues effecting educators. One of the biggest issues recently is teacher pay, but now there’s some relief after the school board approved a 4.5% raise for all instructional staff.

“In the last 10 years this is actually the highest raise we’ve seen as educators, and it’s definitely the highest I’ve ever seen, I’ve only been a teacher for 7 years now," he said. "It’s not going to change my life at all, but it is going to make an impact on how I think about my finances.”

Pickett credits the Pinellas Classroom Teacher’s Association with its bargaining with the district, which he says originally only offered a 2% raise.  The raise is retroactive, so teacher’s will be receiving a check before the holidays, and while the extra money is nice, Pickett said teachers still deserve more.

“Am I looking hopeful towards the future? I mean, the way things are going right now in the state, I’m not very optimistic," he said. "But if we can keep this union I think it’s only going to get better.”

The district is also increasing teacher’s starting salary to $52,000 per year, covering 80% of the increase in health care costs for all employees, and covering the fee for all instructional employees who renewed, or will renew, their teacher certificate with the Florida Department of Education after June 30.