ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida’s prospective governors shared their visions for the state's educational future at a Central Florida event this weekend, with most promising to increase salaries for public school teachers and addressing the challenges posed by universal voucher programs. Speaking before members of the Florida Parent Teacher Association (PTA) on Saturday, July 11, candidates David Jolly, Paul Renner, and James Fishback outlined their platforms at the Omni Resort in ChampionsGate.
Teacher Salaries and Public Education Funding
All three speakers emphasized the need to improve teacher compensation. Florida’s average teacher pay currently ranks second-to-last nationally, ahead only of Mississippi according to data from the National Education Association. David Jolly, a former U.S. Congressman now identified as a Democrat, proposed a 10-year "renaissance" plan funded by tourist-development taxes that would provide teachers with a 30% raise. His platform also includes fixing failing infrastructure and establishing mental health services within schools.
James Fishback, an investment executive, pledged to ensure public schools receive adequate funding for resources, safety, and security. He proposed a specific 25% pay increase for teachers. Paul Renner, the former state House Speaker who championed recent education laws, stated he supports raising teacher salaries as part of a broader focus on affordability but did not specify an amount.
Debate Over Universal Voucher Programs
The impact of Florida’s universal voucher program was a central topic. The current law makes every student eligible for scholarships usable for private school tuition or homeschooling, leading to sharply increased usage and declining public school enrollment since 2023.
Jolly criticized the direction of public education under Governor Ron DeSantis’ administration but promised to keep vouchers while making them means-tested. Renner attributed declining public school enrollment largely to demographics rather than the voucher system, though he emphasized improving teacher retention as key to strengthening public schools.
Testing Reforms and Literacy Initiatives
Candidates also addressed student literacy and standardized testing. Renner described a "Manhattan Project-type effort" to reverse declines in student reading levels, stating that 40% of students currently cannot read on grade level.
In remarks delivered the previous day, Republican frontrunner Congressman Byron Donalds outlined plans for a "universal scorecard" providing data on educational outcomes across all schools. He also proposed overhauling third-grade standardized tests in favor of national exams like the ACT and SAT to better measure college preparedness.
