MACCLENNY, Fla. – Public school principals and teachers in Florida will soon receive $1,000 bonuses, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday during a news conference in Baker County.
The governor said the Florida Legislature has approved the measure and said bonuses will officially be approved once he signs the state budget in the near future.
The bonuses for principals and Pre-K through 12th grade teachers will be funded by the third-round funds provided to the state from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund.
DeSantis and Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran praised teachers who went back to classroom during the coronavirus pandemic and criticized other states that kept schools closed.
“We’re proud of the teacher compensation momentum we have and we’re proud of these $1,000 bonuses for principals and for the teachers,” DeSantis said. “We think that when the schools are open, when people are working hard and putting the kids and families first, you know, we want to reward that sacrifice.”
The governor said he expects to sign the state budget in the next couple of weeks and said bonuses should begin being distributed over the summer.
Earlier this month, DeSantis announced that funds will also be set aside in the state’s upcoming budget for $1,000 bonuses for police officers, firefighters, paramedics and EMTs across the state.