CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — If you’ve wondered why teachers keep leaving Clay County, the answer may be in the numbers.
The Clay County School District and the Clay County Education Association are negotiating salaries and health insurance for the upcoming school year. While both sides continue bargaining, teachers say rising insurance costs could erase any raise they receive and, for some, leave them taking home less money than they do today.
This isn’t just about teacher pay.
It’s about whether Clay County can keep experienced teachers in its classrooms.
Clay teachers already earn less than many neighboring districts
According to the Florida Department of Education, the average teacher salary in Clay County is $50,936.
Nearby districts pay more.
| District | Average Teacher Salary |
|---|---|
| Duval County | $56,101 |
| Putnam County | $55,952 |
| Nassau County | $55,784 |
| St. Johns County | $53,216 |
| Clay County | $50,936 |
Clay County teachers average nearly 12 years of experience, yet many say they’re falling further behind financially each year.
Insurance increases could wipe out raises
The district’s proposed insurance premiums would increase employee costs across multiple plans.
Examples include:
| Plan | Proposed Increase |
|---|---|
| Employee-only HMO | 70.14% |
| Employee + Kids HMO | 30.47% |
| Employee + Spouse PPO | 160.31% |
| Dual Employee + Kids HMO | 249.62% |
The Clay County Education Association has submitted a counterproposal asking the district to absorb a larger share of those increases. According to the union’s calculations, without additional district contributions, many employees would still see a reduction in take-home pay even after receiving a raise.
Depending on the plan selected, the union estimates some teachers could lose hundreds, and in some cases thousands, of dollars annually after insurance costs are factored in.
Teachers are speaking out
The comments from teachers tell a story that numbers alone cannot.
One teacher wrote:
“This is the first thing I saw when I woke up and I will be looking for other jobs today.”
Another said:
“This makes me consider leaving and going contract with an agency.”
A teacher with 20 years in Clay County wrote:
“I’ve never been so worried and disgusted as I am now.”
Another veteran teacher said:
“I currently make less now than I did in 2019.”
One elementary teacher wrote that every year brings more work with less compensation.
“I really don’t want to leave. I love Clay County, but I don’t know how much longer I can continue to watch the workload go up and the pay go down.”
Many already work second jobs
For some teachers, this isn’t about wanting more money.
It’s about paying bills.
One employee wrote:
“I work a second job. They already take out over $700 a check for insurance, dental and vision.”
Another commenter wrote:
“Teachers with PhDs make less than $50,000 and have to work a second or third job.”
A single parent shared:
“As a single parent teacher this is alarming. I’m at a crossroads. This is devastating to my family.”
Another simply wrote:
“I can’t afford to live like this.”
Teachers say the insurance is already expensive
Several employees said the issue isn’t just the premium increases.
They say they already struggle with the current plan.
One teacher wrote:
“Mine didn’t even cover bloodwork.”
Another said:
“It’s like playing Russian Roulette every time you go to the doctor. Will they pay or will they not?”
One employee described paying approximately $3,000 to have a baby, then nearly $6,000 for another procedure just a few years later despite having insurance.
Another wrote:
“The insurance company they use is already a joke.”
Families are doing the math
Teachers with children said they don’t know how they’ll make it work.
One teacher wrote:
“Once I have a kid, my paycheck won’t even be enough to cover rent.”
Another said:
“I already pay more per month for insurance for my daughter than my car payment.”
One educator whose husband also works for the district wrote:
“Those prices are outrageous. Keep in mind, these prices aren’t just for teachers. Think about the other staff.”
Another added:
“Without my husband’s job there is no way I could afford to live.”
Some veteran teachers say they’re done
Several longtime educators said they have reached a breaking point.
One wrote:
“I will work my contracted hours only. I will not spend a penny in my classroom. I will take nothing home.”
Another commented:
“The smartest thing I have done in my career was to leave CCSD.”
A recently retired teacher added:
“I think I made my move to retire this past year right on time.”
Others pointed out that experienced teachers are already leaving.
“Our school is already losing amazing teachers.”
This affects every family in Clay County
Parents may never see a teacher’s insurance bill.
They will see what happens if experienced teachers continue leaving.
- Schools face more vacancies.
- Districts rely on long-term substitutes.
- New teachers have fewer veteran mentors.
- Students lose educators who know their schools, their curriculum, and their community.
One teacher summed it up in a single sentence:
“Teachers don’t want to leave. They have to do what’s best for them and their families.”
That may be the biggest takeaway from this discussion.
The teachers commenting aren’t saying they want to leave.
They’re saying they may not have another choice.
5 Responses
This is a great write-up. I hope teachers will receive more compensation in the future, without the burden of increased insurance costs.
Unfortunately, we are all experiencing higher premiums on insurance which is wiping out any increase we’re seeing. Ask yourselves when you go to vote, are your politicians willing to take a pay decrease to offset and move that money over to education?
Here is a thought – your mileage rate should have a small increase if you have kids in CC schools and that money should go straight to the teachers without any bait and switch.
I moved to Maryland to teach and make over 100k a year now (45k raise). I left teaching in Clay county for greener pastures last year because this was the same story we faced 17 years ago. 17 years it will continue as the past 17. I was working 3 jobs last year as a 52-year-old man with 2 masters degrees. It’s Florida not Clay county. We have Cadillac insurance for half the price in Maryland. You reap what you sow.
Thank you for writing and raising awareness. Our community is an investment. Police, firefighters, teachers and healthcare workers are vital infrastructure well worth the investment!