2025-2026 Negotiations
We Did It—But We’re Not Done Yet!
Our last bargaining session was a victory for educators, proving that when we stand together, we win. Through our collective efforts, we secured meaningful improvements, including higher salaries, increased planning time, and stronger protections for educators. These gains were hard-fought, but our work is far from over.
As we enter negotiations for the 2025-2026 school year, we must continue advocating for the respect, compensation, and working conditions our educators deserve. Each of us has a personal reason for supporting our schools—whether it’s ensuring our children receive the best education, strengthening our community, or honoring the dedication and expertise of our teachers.
Building on our past successes, our proposals, developed directly from your voices and supported by an expanded Bargaining Committee, focus on three key pillars:
1️⃣ Competitive Compensation – Fighting for wages that reflect our professionalism and allow teachers to live in the community they serve.
2️⃣ Balanced Workload – Protecting planning time, limiting non-instructional duties, and ensuring sustainable workloads.
3️⃣ Respect for Educators – Prioritizing teacher voice in decision-making and fostering a culture of trust and collaboration.
By addressing these critical areas, we can create a thriving school community that meets the needs of every student, educator, and family.
Our goal remains clear: to uplift and support our educators so that Leon County is a place where teachers want to stay and grow. We aim to finalize negotiations before the school year begins, reinforcing our commitment to valuing teachers and ensuring student success. The Leon Classroom Teachers Association (LCTA) stands ready to work with the District and School Board to continue building on our progress.
Now, more than ever, the District and School Board must ensure that their actions match their words. **Competitive wages alone are not enough—**we must also foster a culture of respect, inclusion in decision-making, and a positive work environment. By prioritizing both fair compensation and a healthy school climate, we can recruit and retain the best educators, ultimately benefiting our students and the future of our community.
We fought hard last year, and we’ll fight just as hard this year—because our students, our schools, and our educators deserve nothing less.
— The LCTA Bargaining Team
