Indian River County Education Association

Before You Post That Classroom Wishlist

No teacher should have to crowdfund classroom supplies. IRCEA continues to advocate at the state level for the funding Florida's public schools deserve. Until that changes, we know many of you are filling gaps yourselves, and a wishlist can help. If you go that route, protect yourself by knowing District Policy 6605 (Crowdfunding):

•Wishlists for supplemental supplies and equipment are permitted with specific approval from the Superintendent. Start with your school administrator.
•No student names or photos in your wishlist or posts about it.
•Donated items become property of the District/school.
•Cash or cash-equivalent payments to staff are prohibited.

Questions? Reach out. We've got you.

Accountability isn't controversial, especially when students' futures and taxpayer dollars are on the line.

So, here's a simple question: Should every school receiving taxpayer dollars be held to the same accountability standards? ⬇️

IRCEA STATEMENT: SAME STATE PLAN, SAME PROBLEMS HERE

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, Fla., July 2, 2026 — The Education Association of St. Lucie isn't the only local union sounding the alarm on Florida's Teacher Salary Increase Allocation. The Indian River County Education Association (IRCEA) begins TSIA negotiations with the School District of Indian River County (SDIRC) on July 14, but the numbers are already locked in by the state budget and the bill as written. We expect the same problems EASL is raising in St. Lucie.

TSIA raises this year are reserved for full-time classroom teachers with at least ten years of experience in a Florida public school. That leaves out every teacher without a classroom roster — our guidance counselors, media specialists, instructional coaches, and other instructional personnel who serve students every day without a class period of their own. It also leaves out classroom teachers who haven't yet reached ten years in Florida public education — and the bill doesn't fund a path for them either; the money simply isn't there, regardless of when they hit that mark. It also leaves out our colleagues across SDIRC — the paraprofessionals, front office staff, custodians, and food service workers who keep our schools running, and who we stand with as fellow educators. The state funded a raise for some of us. It funded none at all for the rest. In Indian River County, that means 537 of our 957 instructional employees — 56 percent — do not qualify, whether for lack of a classroom roster, lack of ten years' experience in Florida public education, or both. Only 420 do.

"We're a top-five district with an A grade because of all our staff including the great majority that this plan leaves out," said Jennifer Freeland, President of the Indian River County Education Association. "SDIRC wants to pay us more. They just weren't given the funding to do it. That's not an SDIRC failure. That's Tallahassee."

Like EASL, IRCEA will bargain in good faith within the constraints Tallahassee created. But our members and our community deserve to understand where those constraints came from. This isn't an SDIRC problem or a union problem. It's a state problem.

Some of the legislators who wrote this plan are on the ballot this fall. We'd ask every educator, every support professional, and every parent in Indian River County to remember who chose to leave 537 of us behind.

Every educator who serves our students deserves respect — and respect includes pay.

Florida’s TSIA plan leaves too many educators behind, including many teachers and education support professionals who keep our schools running every day.

EASL will continue fighting for fair pay, strong public schools, and the students and educators of St. Lucie County.

We are worth a raise.

A recent victory reaffirms a simple truth: Florida educators have a right to due process.

An independent hearing officer ruled that a Martin County educator's private social media comments did not justify suspension or termination and ordered the district to restore lost pay and benefits.

This wasn't just about one educator. It was about protecting the rights of every educator and ensuring fair treatment for all.

Read the full ruling: https://bit.ly/4vZLb2W

Updated Dates!!! No class tomorrow, March 14th!

Go to Frontline to sign up for the SWD: Multi Sensory Reading Instruction course presented by IRCEA. The course is free for members, and $190 for Non-Members. Reach out to your Building Representative to join.

Go to Frontline to sign up for the SWD: Multi Sensory Reading Instruction course presented by IRCEA. The course is free for members, and $190 for Non-Members. Reach out to your Building Representative to join.

Tomorrow’s the day! Get ready to wear BLACK because we have each other’s back.

Lay out your black, text your crew, and spread the word. When workers show up united, we show our strength.

Let’s flood our schools, workplaces, and social feeds with BLACK tomorrow. 🖤✊

Tomorrow’s the day! Get ready to wear BLACK because we have each other’s back.

Lay out your black, text your crew, and spread the word. When workers show up united, we show our strength.

Let’s flood our schools, workplaces, and social feeds with BLACK tomorrow. 🖤✊